Television network GMA-7 seems to prevent the media from mentioning it in connection with cheating in the AGB-Nielsen Media Research ratings, a press release from ABS-CBN Bacolod said.

“We are disappointed but not surprised by the reactions of GMA-7's to the discovery of TV ratings manipulation,” it also said.

General manager Maya Reforma of AGB-Nielsen identified GMA-7 as the broadcast network behind the efforts that compromised panel homes in Bacolod , the press release said.

Reforma, in her affidavit submitted to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, admitted that GMA-7 was involved in “tampering” with the panel homes, and that, 79 of the 532 homes interviewed from the six cities were confirmed by panel homes to have been exposed to efforts by GMA, the press release said.

ABS-CBN also said that the issue is about having a clean TV ratings process, that prompted it to file a civil case against AGB-Nielsen.

It added that filing defamation charges against ABS-CBN diverts attention from the real issue and they are confident that the truth will come out.

It also said they are waiting for a formal copy of GMA-7's complaint so their lawyers can evaluate its merits.*

back to top

Mass feeding conducted

The Radha Govinda Ministry conducted its monthly mass feeding program called “Krsna-Prasad Food Distribution” in Purok Calantas, Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City , a press release from the group said.

The activity is now on its 11th year since it was launched in 1997 by Rami Das Vragavasi, Raga Dasa and Dhananjaya Dasa.

The project is a direct service to God and at the same time giving spiritual benefits to all living entities partaking of the sanctified food from Krasna devotees, the press release said.

All menus cooked by the devotees were vegetarian, offered first to the Lord, and distributed to beneficiaries in Day Care centers, bvarangay halls and public schools.

The program is supported by Romeo Villanueva, Fritchel Ramos, Josephine Uy, Jun Pefianco, Harish Nandwani, Hindu Temple, and the Sampaguita Lions Club, and Purok Kagawads Nilda Villegas and Kristine Jabaybay, the press release added.*

back to top

Schools mulling websites

A total of 150 public high schools under the Smart Schools Program will soon have their own websites, a press release from Smart Communications Inc. said.

The schools are members of the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program, an industry-academe partnership of Smart which aims to improve the level of technology and engineering education in the country.

A training recently held in Manila covered a 16-hour course on designing and developing websites, and deploying and maintaining websites. It was intended to equip the participants with the capability to set up basic websites, to impart the training to teachers in the Smart Schools, and to provide technical support, the press release said.

With the training and guidelines, schools have an idea of how the process will take place and to implement it according to the needs of partner schools, Reymund Sabay of the University of Negros Occidental Recoletos in Bacolod City said.

Meanwhile, Holy Name University professor Grethel Mende of the Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City , Bohol said a website is important to a school in terms of its online enrollment and to upload the students' grades.

The project is part of the Smart Schools Program content component. SSP, a flagship community service initiative of SMART that promotes information communications technology in basic education, provides internet connection, access to online content, and teacher training to deserving public high schools.

Online content is already being made available through the website www.smartschools.ph, the press release added.*

back to top

Alumni hold raffle draw

The Batch '82 of St. Joseph School–La Salle or St. Joseph High School in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City held a General Alumni Homecoming raffle draw recently, a press release from the group said.

Ann Christine Guivelondo won the grand prize of a house and lot at Charito Heights Subdivision, in Brgy. Granada .

The 10 consolation prize winners of P1,000 each are Olivia Yanson, Cynthia Panesales, Daniel Corcelles, Jennifer Sy, Honeylyn Villarosa, Lilian Montelibano, Becky Millan, Rhodora Bardoleo, Willie Aujero and Alona Ualaga, the press release said

Winners may call Grace Uy at Tel. Nos. 09166862866 or 432-4523 to claim their prizes, the press release added.*

back to top