...the Austrian government honorees

Pinoy nurses honored by Austrian gov’t

 

 

By Hector Pascua,

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

12/31/2011

 

 

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - Minister Rudolf Hundstorfer, Austrian Federal Minister for Labor, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection honored Filipino nurses and caregivers during the 10th year anniversary celebration of the Philippine Nurses Association in Austria.

 

The celebration was held this weekend at the Marriott Vienna Hotel. Philippine Ambassador to Austria Lourdes Yparraguirre likewise joined the affair.

In his remarks, Federal Minister Hundstorfer extended his gratitude to the Filipino nurses in Austria for their very important contribution to the healthcare system of Austria. The minister further mentioned that Filipino nurses are part of the city government’s success of being recognized as the best city in the world. The health system is one of the criteria in the 2011 Quality of Living survey set by global consulting firm Mercer in choosing the city of Vienna as the best place to live in the world for three consecutive years..

In her inspirational message, Ambassador Lourdes O. Yparraguirre mentioned that in almost every corner of the country, there is nothing but praise for Filipino nurses.

Philippine Ambassador to Austria Lourdes Yparraguirre with Austria’s Federal Minister Rudolf Hundstorfer and spouse, PH Cultural Attaché Toni Bosa and the officers of PNAA.

“Many Austrians who have never heard of the Philippines learn about us through the most positive examples of the Filipino nurses. You are truly some of the best ambassadors of the Filipino people. By being outstanding citizens, by your hard work and excellence in your respective professions, by your talents, your warm friendship and your smiles, you can promote the Philippines,” the ambassador said.

Last year, the city government of Vienna awarded a Certificate of Recognition to Filipino nurses and caregivers for their long years of dedicated services to the health sector of Austria.

Mag. Sonja Wehsely, head of the Vienna Health Sector once commented that the Filipino nurses possess professional training that is why they are very much loved by the Viennese people.

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...the Olympics of Debate host

Top students of the world converge in Manila for the ‘Olympics of Debate’

INQUIRER.net

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—Over 1,000 students from 224 universities in 41 nations have converged in Manila to participate in a nine-day competition that will determine the world’s best debaters.

The event, the 32^nd World Universities Debating Championships (WUDC or Worlds), is hosted by De La Salle University and San Miguel Corporation, starts Tuesday (Dec. 27, 2011) and end Jan. 4, 2012.

Referred to as the “Olympics of Debating’’, the event will have nine elimination rounds to determine, from the 400 registered teams, the top 32 teams which will advance to the penultimate rounds in the British Parliamentary format.

There are separate categories for Public Speaking, English as a Second Language (ESL), and English as a Foreign Language (for countries whose nationals do not usually use English as medium of conversation).

Top judges and debaters in the world, to be headed by DLSU alumna Lucinda Teresa David and Cambridge alumnus debater Sam Block, will be flown in just for the tournament. Five more top debaters and judges representing the different regions will comprise the Adjudication Core to be assisted by La Salle Debate Society’s Julian Bautista and Kurt Gerard See.

In a statement, the organizers said the tournament is not just about debating as participants will be treated to nine nights of various social events aimed at discussion of social issues and cultural exchange. These social events will allow the participants not only to build ties with their contemporaries but also time to unwind after gruelling debates in the morning.

Tuesday and Wednesday have been reserved for registration and briefings. The official debate rounds start on Thursday, Dec. 29.

The elimination rounds will be held in De La Salle University, and the grand finals will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2012, and will be telecast live over NBN 4.

...the (US) Presidential Awardee for excellence

US honors Filipino for mentoring

 

By ROY C. MABASA

December 27, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, California, honored Filipino engineering professor Dr. Amelito Enriquez in a reception held after he received an award from United States (US) President Barack Obama for being one of the nine recipients of the US Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.


According to the US National Science Foundation, the award is bestowed by the President to individuals and organizations in recognition of the crucial role that mentoring plays in the academic and personal development of students studying science and engineering, particularly those who belong to groups that are under-represented in these fields.


Enriquez, a geodetic engineering graduate at the University of the Philippines, was nominated by his students and colleagues at the Cañada College in Redwood City, California.


The Novaliches native is credited with helping develop several programs that help students from underrepresented communities pursue degrees in science, math, and engineering.


The programs include a two-week intensive program dubbed “The Math Jam,” and the Summer Engineering Institute, in cooperation with the San Francisco State University.


Another of Dr. Enriquez’s program is a 10-week internship program for engineering students funded by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).


According to Enriquez, who earned his doctorate at the University of California in Irvine, he shared the award with the entire Cañada College faculty, staff, and students.


He reiterated his love for teaching and encouraging students to pursue careers in engineering.


In recognition of his achievement, Enriquez received certificates from California State and Redwood City officials and legislators, as well as a commendation from the Consulate General.


The reception was held at the Cañada College where Enriquez has been teaching for 17 years now.

...the FIBA model

Philippines is Fiba model for 3×3 tourney

By June Navarro
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

MANILA, Philippines – Three-on-three basketball, a typical sight on Metro Manila’s densely populated streets and alleys, will soon be a major Fiba tournament.

And according to top Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officials, the country will play a significant role in spreading the popularity of the discipline worldwide.

“We were chosen by Fiba as a model for its 3×3 event,” said SBP executive director Sonny Barrios.

Popularly known as three-on-three street basketball, Fiba, the world governing body in the sport, has renamed it 3×3.

The event is now a major Fiba tournament, which culminates in a world championship after the zonal and continental qualifiers.

Handpicked as the discipline’s ambassador, the Philippines is more than capable to host Fiba 3×3, Barrios pointed out.

“Basketball is being played here everywhere. Even on the streets,” said Barrios, who touched base with the Fiba top brass along with SBP consultant Moying Martelino in a meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, last month.

“In fact, I was telling Fiba officials that 3×3 is regularly being played by people from all walks of life in the Philippines,” he added.

Fiba 3×3 first burst into global consciousness during the 1st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year where the Philippine team wound up ninth among 20 countries.