‘School In A Box’ for schools without electricity

How can you bring Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to far flung schools which do not have electricity? This is a problem which a group of community-oriented and tech-savvy individuals is trying to solve using a low-cost and energy-efficient mobile learning kit.


Making learning in rural areas fun and interesting through School In A Box

 Called the School In A Box (SIAB), the handy and affordable equipment which runs on a motorcycle battery intends to make learning fun and interesting for students by allowing video and audio materials to be played before the whole class, give teachers and students an opportunity to do research online, and even serve as a base platform to support modular tools for core subjects like Science and Math.

School In A Box was an innovation of learning advocate Miguel Bermundo and electrical engineer Nikko Torcita who are helping schools explore creative ways of teaching through simple technology which only costs about P15,000 per package.  Bermundo was later on joined by Carmela David and Skye Male who are both immersed in various corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects of Globe.

The winning team: Skye Male (3rd from left), Carmela David (middle), Miguel Bermundo (2nd from right) together with Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu (right), Globe Chief Human Resource Officer Renato Jiao (left), and Globe VP for Product Management Pebbles Sy-Manalang (2nd from left).

 “Rural public schools often face learning challenges due to shortage of educational tools and in some instances, absence of electricity.  Students, on the other hand, usually have a hard time absorbing the lessons, resulting in poor performance. We need a solution that can help bring 21st century learning to these kids and create for them a world of possibilities and I’m proud of our CSR team for doing their part in making this a reality,” said Fernando Esguerra, Globe CSR Director.

Globe President and CEO Ernest L. Cu was highly impressed with the idea.  “Bringing technology to the rural areas to save the nation is a very good move.  This shows that innovation can come from any sector, even from CSR.”

School In A Box does not intend to reinvent the wheel.  Rather, it uses very common materials such as a pair of PC speakers, basic keyboard, a mouse, and a credit card-sized computer mainframe called Raspberry Pi packed inside a hard, water-proof plastic case.  The computer uses an SD card as its hard drive and comes with an iPhone-sized projector for video engagements.  It comes with a 17-amp motorcycle battery which can keep the computer running constantly for up to eight hours.  An optional Globe Tattoo stick can also be inserted in the USB port for wireless internet surfing while a laser-cut acrylic microscope setup may be hooked with a smartphone to provide amplified views of specimens.

SIAB bested 17 other entries presented at the iSpark pitching competition handled by Globe Labs to encourage employees unleash their creativity and break boundaries.  Similar to other international hackathons which Globe Labs organized, iSpark encourages employees to form groups, prepare their hack concept, make it happen, and pitch their app.

Winning second and third place are Globe Carpool of CB Strategy and Corporate Development and AutoQueue of Digital Media, respectively. 


iSpark is part one of the activities at the Globe Telecom’s innovation month which includes Mind Brew Talks, Globe City, and Globe Innovation Forum.  (PR)

For writing, editing and graphics designing projects, coverage and sponsored posts, you may contact Kathy "Purr" Villalon via email: katvillalon@gmail.com

Check out these popular posts, too

The San Lorenzo Wind Farm and a brighter future for renewable energy

Image
The Province of Guimaras is home to the first wind farm in the Visayas  -- the San Lorenzo Wind Farm which is seen to reduce the region’s greenhouse gas emissions and serve as a tourist attraction at the same time.
The 54 MW San Lorenzo Wind Farm generates 54 megawatts of power and provides such to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) which then distributes it to many power utilities in Western Visayas, Negros and Cebu.
This Department of Energy-supported wind farm has 27 wind turbines that stand approximately 123 meters tall. Each wind turbine generator (WTG) produces 2 megawatts of power, thus resulting to a total generation capacity of 54 megawatts.


HOW IT WORKS "All the power from the WTG is brought to the sub-station. Each turbine produces electricity at 690 volts. Electricity then passes through a transformer which steps it up to 22,800 volts and later, to 69,000 volts. All electricity produced is transmitted through the 69KV overhead transmission line to Zal…
Read more

New Executive Sous Chef heats up Seda Atria's kitchen

Image
With exceptional skills in a wide range of cuisines and kitchen management, Chef Gary Landicho, the new Executive Sous Chef of Seda Atria will be introducing exciting additions to the hotel’s menu while improving food and beverage operations.

Forty-year-old Chef Gary is a native of Bacolod, but grew up and studied in Manila. He developed his culinary expertise through 16 years of experience working on various cruise ships. He was the Sous Chef of Disney Cruise Line for 5 years before coming home and joining the hospitality industry for the first time as the Executive Sous Chef for Seda Atria since September 2018. 



Traveling and exposure to diverse local and international fare have enabled Chef Gary to nurture his love for food while honing his culinary skills.  

Chef Gary’s cooking style is defined by the use of fresh ingredients to create a seamless fusion of Western and Asian culture. 

He is set to introduce new mouth-watering dishes at Misto.  These recipes were inspired by his travels…
Read more

10 must-eats at DoVa Brunch Cafe

Image
Brunch lovers or just about anyone who craves for a satisfying dish will be treated to varied delicious and cooked-to-perfection selections at DoVa Brunch Cafe.
DoVa sprung from owner Miguel Cordova’s love for brunch and his experience of Cambodia’s brunch culture. Impressed with the different brunch cafes in this southeast Asian country, Miguel yearned of putting up one in Iloilo City. At that time, he was already running his two successful restaurants – Afriques and Escas.
“It took me two years to realize my dream of opening a brunch cafe,” Miguel said, referring to DoVa’s La Paz branch which Ilonggos welcomed with open arms, or better yet, eager taste buds. The second branch, DoVa Megaworld at the Iloilo Business Park, opened this year.

One fine night, Miguel gathered selected Iloilo bloggers to have a taste of what DoVa has to offer. It was my first time to step inside DoVa but I already heard that their food is utterly divine but pricey. But after experiencing it myself, I could say…
Read more

Miag-ao hablon weaving

Image
Buying, using, giving as presents and promoting our local products are ways to help the local economy. One of these recommended products is ‘hablon’ because this is not just a commodity but this is also a reflection of a community's culture and dreams.
Hablon came from the word ‘habol’, a local word that means ‘weave’. Thus, hablon refers to the weaving process and the finished product that is common in places like Miag-ao, Villa and Antique province, all in Panay island in the Philippines.


During  a media and bloggers' trip to the town of Miag-ao in southern Iloilo, we visited their showrooms  (one is at the town proper and another one is at Brgy. Indag-an) where hablon products such as shawls, barongs, gowns, clothing material, accessories and storytelling dolls wearing hablon dresses, among others, are on display. No less than the town mayor, Hon. Macario Napulan welcomed us.


Tourist Attraction Mayor Napulan shared that Miag-ao is known for two things. One is the Sto. Tomas de…
Read more

Sino ang panalo? Ang bully or ang api?

Image
“Shayne” told this writer that a child in their boarding house always gave him a hard time.

“Ralph grabbed my toys and when I asked him to give them back, he punched me,” Shayne said.


There were times when Ralph pushed Shayne and called him ugly names. But, it was found out later that Ralph’s father physically and verbally abused him. So, the boy bullied by his father has become a bully to another child.


Even adults are not spared from bullying. Just last week, 50-year-old parent was verbally abusing his 30-year-old son. At times, her “requests” to do household chores were delivered in a negative tone. It was enough to make the son feel hurt, defensive and irritable. He expresses his anger by answering back or shouting at his children. 


A bully can think of all kinds of ways to make another person feel hurt, afraid, uncomfortable, or just plain miserable. It can be physical, verbal, or emotional. Often bullies torment a victim over a long period of time, increasing the victim's sense …
Read more

Ilonggos fulfill poor students’ dreams to finish college

Image
For an 18-year-old student like Kristine Kate Villanueva who comes from a poor family, having an education and finishing a college degree is a luxury that she can’t afford. But because another individual chose to “adopt” her, this dream is now a reality.Villanueva is the youngest child in a brood of six. Their father left, so it was their mother who is taking care of their needs from the income she derives from cooking and selling “puto” and “bitso-bitso”.

She helps her mother with their small business during her free time, including evenings.

While making “puto” and “bitso-bitso”, she also opens her notes so that she can study at the same time.

“During class, I am always tired because I help my mother,” Villanueva said. The family’s sleeping arrangement at their “little home” in the middle of the public market adds to the challenge.

The family members sleep in shifts because their living space cannot accommodate them sleeping all at once.

Despite her difficulties, she said,  “I never thoug…
Read more

An anxious Ilongga’s refuge in a mall

Image
There was a time whenever I go to a crowded and noisy place, I would have an anxiety attack - sudden fear, trembling, hot flash, palpitations and shortness of breath.

One unforgettable experience was when I went to SM City Iloilo to buy something. It must have been the combined sound of loud music and simultaneous chattering of the crowd that triggered my anxiety. As soon as I felt the symptoms start, I wasted no time and looked for an escape - SM Southpoint.

Thankfully, there’s an open area with faux grass and a bench near a steakhouse on the second floor. There, I did some breathing exercises until the anxiety goes away.

(Tip: an anxiety attack happens when a person least expects it. It’s not like one goes to a place and starts to think “this place is crazy, I am going to have an attack”. When your companion is having an anxiety attack, stay with him/her but do not attempt a conversation, let the person sit and breathe in silence until ready).



FINDING REFUGE One Sunday morning found me …
Read more

Manny Librodo photography: a landscape of emotions

Image
Many of award-winning photographer Manny Librodo’s students told him they wanted to be like him.
His response? “Be your own photographer. Find your own style. People will always remember you. Work with a lot of passion.”
Manny Librodo, a native of Lambunao, Iloilo used to be a nobody in the photography world but he was already looking at beautiful photographs in airline magazines, wishing that he, too can become a good photographer.

Armed with passion and a point and shoot camera, he took photos of Bangkok (where he resides now) and his European travels and posted them online. These photos have gone viral without his knowledge and before he knew it, he is already famous.
“I posted on pbase.com and waited daily for comments from viewers. I received feedback including suggestions to join competitions. There was even a time when my photo would earn about one million views in a day. Without the internet, I won’t be where I am now,” he told bloggers covering his exhibit “Landscape of Emotions”…
Read more

Sea Spa: relaxing escape to the sea and the surf

Image
Juana who works too much even on weekends ends up feeling tired. Too tired to give time to the little one who is asking for attention or to a sad friend who needs a listening ear. Juana cannot give time for others as she lacks time herself.
Maria who thinks too many negative thoughts ends up feeling agitated. So, when a troublesome experience happens, Maria easily gets irritated and spews out hurtful words. She cannot give peace if she does not experience peace.


But because Lourdes has so much love in her heart, she is able to love and forgive the likes of Juana and Maria for having a bad day.
“We cannot give what we do not have." There is a ring of truth to this phrase in both the tangible and intangible like quality time, full attention, and love, among others. Life is not perfect, we all experience these but we are not powerless.
I cope by communing with nature. A visit to the beach at least three times a year is already enough to calm my restless soul. If that trip to the beach …
Read more

Gary Sintin: Born for Fashion

Image

It’s human nature to sometimes treat with nonchalance things that we encounter on a daily manner.
This was the case with Gary Surmion Sintin when he was growing up.
He’s the son of Heidi Arguelles Surmion–Sintin, a dressmaker in Brgy. Baclayan, Lucena, Iloilo but it was in dancing and singing that he had passion for.
He was champion during the Super Ferry Kampeon sa Kantahan Zone 5 competition, a Blue Pass finalist in Philippine Idol, a performer in GMA Iloilo’s ‘Bongga’, recording artist of the album ‘The Soul of Magapa-Suage’ by the Panay Rural Development Center, Inc., a conductor and teacher in music in Oton National High School, a voice coach and a dance choreographer.
“Before, I never paid attention to designing because I considered it as a common thing that I encounter everyday at home,” he said.
But if you were born to a certain kind of trade, you naturally imbibe the skills because you were exposed to that your whole life.
“I helped my mother by giving a critique on what …
Read more