As if going through college isn’t hard enough, a young man in Sultan Kudarat had to do it while being critically ill. His story would inspire a lot of people who admired his will to complete his education despite his condition.

Joemar Mangkok, 25, recently made waves online after he attended his college graduation on a wheelchair. He was not only wheeled up the stage to receive his diploma, someone also had to carry his oxygen tank.

Photo credit: Lyn Mangkok Ayob / Facebook

Despite his difficult situation, Mangkok never gave up. He was in and out of hospitals since he was a kid, yet he managed to complete Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Major in Math, from Southern Mindanao Institute of Technology (SMIT).

Photo credit: Lyn Mangkok Ayob / Facebook

Mangkok’s elder sister, Lyn Mangkok Ayob, shared photos taken from his graduation day.

Photo credit: Lyn Mangkok Ayob / Facebook

#LABANPUSO...datu congrats🎓 dahil e2 na ang pangarap natin lahat na maabot mo ang araw na e2😭😭😭.sana gumaling kana at kc magboard exam kapa #LABAN❤💪

Joemar Kenik Mangkok,

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SECONDARY EDUCATION..MAJOR IN MATH..

SOUTHERN MINDANAO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY INC.

sana maging inspirasyon ka sa mga kabataan.We love you so much datu.

#LABANPUSO

Photo credit: Lyn Mangkok Ayob / Facebook

The #LABANPUSO hashtag is an allusion to Mangkok’s difficult condition as he suffers from a rheumatic heart.

Ayob revealed that her brother had always been quite sickly as a child. As a kid, Mangkok had exhibited brilliance, with the smart boy often representing the school in regional competitions.

But his conditioned worsened in college. He often had to take a semester off because he would fall really ill. Then, he would enroll again but couldn’t finish the semester. This went on for years, with Mangkok transferring from one school to another.

Photo credit: Lyn Mangkok Ayob / Facebook

Thankfully, SMIT allowed Mangkok to complete his course requirements even while he was confined at the hospital. This allowed the young man to finally graduate from the course at 25 years old.

“He studied when he was at the hospital and that’s even where he finished some of his projects. But he didn’t want to stop because our father told us our education was very important and it was the only thing he could give us,” Ayob said.

Photo credit: Lyn Mangkok Ayob / Facebook

Though the family was rejoicing over Mangkok’s victory, their happiness was short-lived. He was immediately rushed back to the hospital after graduation and had to be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Photo credit: Lyn Mangkok Ayob / Facebook

His story has touched so many hearts. Netizens extended their congratulations to the young man and prayers for his speedy recovery so he could take the board exams and live his dreams of becoming a teacher.

— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express

MANILA, Philippines – coocaa, a purely E-commerce TV brand was officially launched at Lazada Philippines through a recent exclusive media event in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Known for its colorful orange logo, it has quickly gained a great number of followers in other ASEAN countries with their innovative and high-quality Smart TV products.

Coocaa Smart TV officially launched in the Philippines.

Having already launched in Lazada Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam in 2018 and receiving great reviews, coocaa became the leading TV brand in Lazada Indonesia within 4 months after its release. Its affordable prices and great technology have an easy appeal with the millennial market, bringing all the excitement of a smart TV into numerous homes.

The company introduced three product series, the Explore, Innovate and Change series aligned with their slogan “Play in Your Style".

"We understand the vital needs of at-home connectivity and believe that Filipinos deserve to have an entertainment package that is both cutting edge and affordable and coocaa makes that possible. We’re excited to showcase our different product series to the fun-loving Filipinos,” said Rock Zhang, General Manager of Brand Business and Director of Global E-Commerce Overseas Department of coocaa Southeast Asia.

Rock Zhang, General Manager of Brand Business and Director of Global E-Commerce Overseas Department of coocaa Southeast Asia.

For the tech-savvy, coocaa’s most exciting and advanced Android TV is the S5G Explore series that comes in two sizes - 50 inch (PHP 22,990.00) and 40 inch at (PHP 13,990.00), both sizes are powered by Google Assistant with AIoT technology to connect and command smart devices inside your home. Turn on the fan, switch lamp colors, and activate humidifiers are all possible by just speaking to coocaa Android TV remote. It can also be used as a personal assistant as it also remembers passwords, stores calendars, tells the weather, gives restaurant suggestions, and so much more.

For the movie-lovers, coocaa, indulges them with the Innovate S3N series, which has Netflix 5.1 built in with three sizes––32 inch (PHP 9,990.00), 40 inch (PHP 12,990.00), and 43 inch (PHP 14,990.00) in order to properly enjoy 700+ original movies and TV shows. This smart TV can also capture Youtube content and support the Mira share features from other mobile devices, which enable you to enjoy the content on a big screen. Its smart system and aesthetically pleasing design with an infinity screen makes it a must-have for those who want an all-around and fun entertainment system.

S3N 32-in Smart TV

Lastly, for the energy conscious and new tv owners, the Change series, a 32-inch basic TV (PHP 7,490.00), with an HD-ready panel, SRS Dolby Audio+, and 178 degree angle views that are sure to delight you with energy saving technology which will save monthly energy bills. With its affordable price, it allows the younger generation to change their old CRT TV to LED TV.

All coocaa smart TVs support various file formats such as JPG, MP3, AAC, and Movie (MP4, MKV,etc.), allowing anyone to play in their style. Moreover, it comes with a 2-year warranty with nationwide after-sales service, which will guarantee a great customer experience.

"We are excited to be a part of coocaa’s new chapter in the Philippines. Its affordable prices and great technology have an easy appeal with the Filipino market, bringing all the excitement of a smart TV into numerous homes.” said Emmanuelle Chavarot, Chief Business Officer, Lazada Philippines.

Michelle de la Cruz (Lazada Business Operation); Arnold  Balao (Lazada Director for Electronics); Tracy Jia (coocaa Business Manager); Rock Zhang (coocaa ASEAN Area GM & Overseas Business Department Director.

Don’t miss out on the fun and continue to play in your style by checking out the coocaa official flagship store on Lazada.

— The Summit Express

MANILA, Philippines — The March 2019 Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) or teachers board exam results including the official list of passers, topnotchers (top 10), top performing schools and performance of schools for Elementary and Secondary levels are released online in May 2019 or within two (2) months after the exam.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) conducted the first LET board exam this year on Sunday, March 24, 2019 in at least 20 testing centers in the country.

Testing centers include Bacolod, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Catarman, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Kidapawan, Legazpi, Lucena, Manila, Pagadian, Pampanga, Romblon, Rosales, Occidental Mindoro, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga.

The Board for Professional Teachers is composed of Dr. Rosita L. Navarro, Chairman; Dr. Paz I. Lucido, Vice Chairman; Dr. Paraluman R. Giron and Dr. Nora M. Uy (on leave), Members.

TEACHERS BOARD EXAM LET SUMMARY OF RESULTS (check back for the activation of links)

• March 2019 LET Results Elementary: Alphabetical List of Passers
• March 2019 LET Results Secondary: Alphabetical List of Passers
• TOPNOTCHERS: March 2019 LET Elementary Top 10
• TOPNOTCHERS: March 2019 LET Secondary Top 10
• Top Performing, Performance of Schools: March 2019 LET board exam
• March 2019 LET passers registration, verification of ratings and oathtaking schedule, venue

Roll of Successful Examinees in the
L.E.T. — ELEMENTARY and SECONDARY — All Regions
Held on MARCH 24, 2019
Released on MAY 21, 2019

Updating for the official list of passers...check back for results.

REGISTRATION AND OATHTAKING

The schedule for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration for Elementary and Secondary level exams will be announced once results are out online.

The requirements for the issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card (ID) are the following:

1) Notice of Admission (for identification only);
2) downloaded duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal;
3) two pieces passport size pictures (colored with white background and complete nametag);
4) two sets of documentary stamps;
5) 1 piece short brown envelope

PRC said that successful examinees should PERSONALLY register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The dates and venues for the oathtaking ceremonies of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER, the Commission added.

VERIFICATION OF RATINGS

LET board exam's verification of ratings (passers, non-passers and removal) can be done online.

Visit PRC's "Verification of Rating" service and enter the required information to verify your identity. Note that this will be available in few working days after the release of results.

COVERAGE OF EXAMINATION

The March 2019 LET covered two (2) parts for Elementary - General Education (40%) and Professional Education (60%) and three (3) parts for Secondary - General Education (20%), Professional Education (40%) and Specialization (40%).

The test covered the major areas of General Education (English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science and Social Sciences), Professional Education (teaching profession, social dimensions of education, principles of teaching, education technology, curriculum development, facilitating learning, child and adolescent development, assessment of student learning, developmental reading, field study and practice teaching). The 10 specializations for Secondary Teacher with exam coverage depends on the chosen course: English, Filipino, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Social Studies or Social Sciences, Values Education, MAPEH, Agriculture and Fishery Arts and TLE (Technology and Livelihood Education.

In order to pass the recent LET, examinee must obtain an average rating of not less than 75% and must have no rating lower than 50% in any of the tests.

Note that passing the teacher licensure exam and having valid professional license from the Commission are necessary before the practice of teaching profession in the Philippines. Otherwise, those who will violate may face fine and imprisonment based on penal provisions.

RELEASE OF RESULTS

According to PRC Resolution No. 1127, the target release of March 2019 LET board exam results is on Tuesday, May 21 or in 38 working days after the test.

The computed total number of workdays excludes 8 Saturdays and Sundays and four (4) holidays namely — The Day of Valor (Tuesday, April 9), Maundy Thursday (April 18), Good Friday (April 19) and Labor Day (Wednesday, May 1).

PRC Board News, our partner website for PRC board exam results said that the probable release of March 2019 LET exam results is between May 13 and 31 ( 32-46 working days).

Note that results may be released earlier or beyond the target without prior notice. This is due to several factors such as the total number of examinees, effect of work cancellations due to calamities and unforeseen events and system of checking the pencil-based tests.

PREVIOUS EXAMINATIONS

In the past six (6) years for the same period, 36 days is the average number of days before the release of results for the average of 102,392 examinees. Average passing rate is 28.46%, 24.43% for Elementary and 31.74% for Secondary. This means that 3 of the 10 examinees usually passed the tests.

In the same period last year, results were out in forty (40) working days. A total of 13,774 elementary teachers out of 58,323 examinees (23.62%) and 22,936 secondary teachers out of 76,673 examinees (29.91%) successfully passed the tests. John Michael Tagayon dela Paz of University of the Philippines (UP) - Diliman aced the Elementary level exam with 88.80%. Kier Araula Baugbog from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela topped the secondary level exam with 92.40%. None of the schools qualified for the top performing school list for Elementary. Meanwhile, UPD led the schools for Secondary.

In the March 2017 exam, results were also released in forty (40) working days after the exam. A total of 5,600 elementary teachers out of 53,915 examinees (10.39%) and 18,482 secondary teachers out of 72,584 examinees (25.46%) successfully hurdled the exams. Samantha Christel Chua Gaerlan from De La Salle University (DLSU) - Manila topped the Elementary level exam with 90.60%. University of Mindanao (UM) - Davao City alum Marian Kaye Fortinez Gallego aced the board exam for Secondary level. None of the schools qualified for the top performing school list for Elementary. UPD also topped the schools for Secondary.

Here's the summary of teachers board exam (LET) in the past 12 exams:

Exam Date	Total Examinees (Elementary and Secondary)	Total Passers	Passing Rate	Days before results release
September 30, 2018	217,332	79,212	36.45%	52
March 25, 2018	134,996	36,710	27.19%	40
September 24, 2017	187,529	70,824	37.77%	43
March 26, 2017	126,499	24,082	19.04%	40
September 25, 2016	170,220	54,712	32.14%	48
March 20, 2016	95,829	30,938	32.28%	41
September 27, 2015	149,905	55,471	37.00%	48
March 29, 2015	100,740	30,007	29.79%	38
August 17, 2014	148,589	52,068	35.04%	51
January 26, 2014	80,735	23,153	28.68%	32
September 29, 2013	126,952	45,139	35.56%	40
March 10, 2013	75,550	25,533	33.80%	27

UPDATES

Same with the previous LET examinations, The Summit Express will provide reliable updates before the release of results. Takers can expect the most probable or exact date of release on this page.

Monitor this page for the real-time updates on LET results. Check out also the official website of PRC for more information.

— The Summit Express

MANILA, Philippines – Recognizing the hardships and sacrifices her mother had to face as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), a new graduate called on her mom to come back home as she promises to be the one to work now. Her post went viral, with many people wishing their children would also do the same…

“Ma, uwi kana ng Pinas ako naman magtatrabaho,” Minerva Jane Borca wrote in a small white board which she held while having her graduation photo taken.

Photo credit: Minerva Jane Borca / Facebook

A resident of Manila, the young lady studies BS Travel Management at Our Lady of Fatima University. She shared that she became the ‘mother’ to her three siblings after their mom became an OFW. Their dad was also quite supportive, but the three younger ones turned to their eldest sister for emotional support.

“Sa murang edad nagpaka nanay sa tatlo kong kapatid, dati si mama gumagawa lahat, nung nagdesisyon siyang umalis ako sumalo lahat ng mga gawaing pang nanay. May mga oras na nasasabihan akong “mas mukha ka pang matanda kesa sa nanay mo” “mukha ka ng manang” yung pakiramdam na hindi mo na magawang mag ayos para sa sarili mo kase mas kailangan mong unahin yung mga kapatid mo,” Minerva shared in a post on Facebook.

“Pagka may gusto akong bilhin nagdadalawang isip ako kase dapat pag meron ako meron din sila. Yung realidad na mismo nagbukas sa isip ko na hindi dapat pansariling kagustuhan yung mauuna. Mas komportable ako sa salitang sila muna bago ako.”

But the young lady is not complaining; just stating facts because she knew that the hardships she faces as ‘mother’ to her siblings were nothing compared to what their mom had to go through abroad, just to give them a better life and send them to school.

Photo credit: Minerva Jane Borca / Facebook

Knowing her mom’s sacrifices abroad, Minerva fulfilled her promise to complete her studies and focus on her future. She does have a boyfriend but she didn’t let the relationship hamper her dreams.

Now that she’s graduating from college, Minerva promised her mom she will now be the one to work as she wants the OFW to come back home for good.

“Mas pinipili kong pauwiin siya kesa makatanggap ng ano mang materyal na bagay,” the young lady wrote.

Her mother, with FB account ‘Miles Away’, has not yet replied online whether she would come home for good just as Minerva requested, especially since there are still three more kids to send to college, but the young lady’s post has touched her as she shared this with the caption, “PROUD MOMMY HERE.... I LOVE YOU & MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! CONGRATULATIONS MY BABY....”

— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express

Remember the young graduate featured last year for proudly recognizing her ‘kargador’ father? She’s a teacher now. And just like how she inspired many people last year with her story, she has once again gone viral after creating portraits for all her students because the entire class made it to the Honor Roll!

READ: Graduate proudly thanks her “kargador” father’s sacrifices

Mailyn Esquelito Akoy shared photos of her portraits for the students, saying the drawings were both a gift and a reward for her students that she promised to give them when she first became their teacher some 4 months ago.

Photo credit: Mailyn Esquelito Akoy / Facebook

According to Mailyn, she’s a Business Teacher and STEM12 – Q103 Adviser at Notre Dame of Tacurong College – Senior High School Department. As she started teaching her advisory class, she gave them a challenge to make everyone strive harder to do better in school.

Photo credit: Mailyn Esquelito Akoy / Facebook

“I could still remember na chinallege ko sila. ‘Mag-aral kayong mabuti at kapag makapasok lahat sa honors, may matatanggap kayo mula sa akin,'" Mailyn wrote on Facebook.

“Sa totoo lang, nag alangan ako. Hindi ko alam kung paano pagsabayain ang lahat, Ang paggawa ng ilelecture ko, paggawa ng learning plan tuwing linggo, at siputin ang bawat schedule ko na klase. Sa loob ng isang buwan natapos ko lahat ang 50 sa Advisory ko at 9 naman mula sa ibang section at Strand.”

Photo credit: Mailyn Esquelito Akoy / Facebook

Amazingly, everyone under her class made it to the Honor Roll!

Of her 50 students, 7 received High Honors while the rest, all 43 of them, received With Honors. Teacher Mailyn fulfilled her promise to the students, giving them a special gift – the portraits she made herself!

SEE ALSO: Grade 1 pupil allegedly removed from list of awardees for failure to settle Php3k bill

Aside from the 50 students in her advisory class, she also made 9 more for awardees from other sections.

Photo credit: Mailyn Esquelito Akoy / Facebook

“Thank you so much Maam for making my daughter her portrait!! Salute to you lahat pala sila nagawan mo ng ganun. Gusto kitang kamayan kanina pero medyo naalangan ako. You are truly an inspiration not only to your advisory class but to all teachers out there. Congratulations!!!” a happy mother commented on Mailyn’s post.

— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express

MANILA, Philippines – A Grade 1 pupil was allegedly removed from the list of awardees for her parents’ failure to settle the Php3k bill they owe the school. Moreover, she was also asked to write a promissory note!

Her plight has gone viral, with many people angrily lashing out at the school for allowing this to happen to the kid.

Photo credit: Clen Limpin / Facebook

Netizen Clen Limpin shared the girl’s story. According to Limpin, the girl is the daughter of her friend. The child is studying at a private school in Novaliches, Limpin wrote.

Last week, the child’s parents were told that she is an honor student and would be included in the school’s upcoming Recognition Day; however, her name was later removed from the list for her parents’ failure to pay the Php3,000 they owed in tuition fees.

Photo credit: Clen Limpin / Facebook

According to Limpin, the Grade 1 child was even made to write a promissory note by the principal. This angered the mother as well as a lot of netizens who could not imagine how traumatic the experience must be for the kid.

Photo credit: Clen Limpin / Facebook

The parents certainly knew their responsibilities and dues at the school, but the principal should have called them up. Many pointed out that the kid shouldn’t have been made to write the promissory note as financial issues like that could have a negative effect on the child.

Photo credit: Clen Limpin / Facebook

Moreover, despite already known that she was on the Honor List, the child was scrapped from the list of awardees for her parents’ failure to settle the bill. The teacher, a certain Teacher Thea, told the child’s mother that she had no control over the matter because this was covered by school’s policy of “No permit, no exam.”

SEE ALSO: Teacher creates portraits for 59 students after entire class is on the Honor Roll

Photo credit: Clen Limpin / Facebook

With her grades in the last quarter not included in the calculation, the child was removed from the list of awardees.

Photo credit: Clen Limpin / Facebook

Netizens are now calling for the child’s reinstatement in the honor roll…

— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express

MANILA, Philippines – Proving that you alone could change your destiny, a young man called as ‘walang future’ in college passed the pharmacist board exam on his first take!

Spending a total of 7 years in college, Adrian Gales failed or dropped 11 subjects throughout those many years. Those many failures made people judge him as ‘walang future’ (no future), saying he would never succeed in life.

He wasn’t always such a failure. According to Adrian, he had actually been in the section especially created for those who topped the school’s comprehensive entrance exams. For four consecutive semesters, Adrian made it to the Dean’s List. Impressive, right?

But after those achievements, Adrian would suddenly change his student outlook and begin failing in a number of subjects, including one that is crucial for his pharmacy course. This led to much delay in his studies. He would also transfer to another school, leading to more delays.

Photo credit: Adrian Gales / Facebook

As he spent more days in school, many people would tell Adrian that he would never make it in life is remains this way. Yet he managed to pull himself out of this situation and eventually graduated from college. Though not on schedule, a graduation remains a graduation – he’s now ready to face the world.

But he had one more challenge to hurdle: passing the pharmacy board exam. He enrolled in the 3-month review program but ended up attending just 5 days! Tsk. Tsk. Realizing he has to study to pass the board exam, he crammed the last 3 days before the exam date, calling on his friends for help.

Amazingly, this young man passed the pharmacy board exam on his first take! He even got such high scores that he was just a few marks shy of possibly making it to the Top 10. What a journey that is.

He shared that though he might not have the same experience as a typical student, he didn’t give up and would actually achieve his dreams. Congratulations!

Photo credit: Adrian Gales / Facebook

Congratulations, young man! While we certainly don’t endorse his kind of lifestyle in school, he is still living proof that even someone dubbed as ‘walang future’ can change and succeed in life.

— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express

MANILA, Philippines – Even though he was confined at the hospital, Jud Gaoilan was determined to complete the visual aids he needed for his final demo. This earned him much praise from netizens who could not help but admire his determination to graduate.

“Kahit naka Confine ako dito sa Hospital, gagawin ko lahat matapos ko lang to. Para sa Final Demo💪🏻,” Gaoilan posted on his Facebook account as he shared photos taken of him doing his best to work on the visual aids in his hospital room.

Photo credit: Jud Gaoilan / Facebook

The student teacher posted photos of himself cutting something for his visual aids as well as writing on a yellow cartolina – and these earned him admiration as his hand was clearly connected to an intravenous (IV) line.

While he had some difficulties in writing and cutting due to the IV line, he managed to overcome the challenges so he could prepare for the final demo. He could just, of course, wait until he got out of the hospital so he could do this, as some netizens pointed out, yet he did his best to deal with the situation.

Photo credit: Jud Gaoilan / Facebook

A lot of netizens also commented how his handwriting remained excellent despite the difficulties he faced in writing.

“Ganda ng penmanship,” a number of netizens commented on the post.

Photo credit: Jud Gaoilan / Facebook

Many also praised him for being dedicated to his studies and for showing determination to pass the final demo which is one of the major requirements for graduation for Education students. A lot also found him inspiring.

Photo credit: Jud Gaoilan / Facebook

“Wow nmn isa kang mabuting halimbawa never give - up just continue and follow your dreams God will heal you and bless u,” netizen Saitanmer Doña Corps wrote.

Quite a number of people also believe that he would make an excellent teacher in the future because of the dedication he showed even as a student.

Photo credit: Jud Gaoilan / Facebook

Days after his hospital post, Gaoilan shared an update revealing that he and his classmates passed their final demo. Congratulations!

— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express