Salary Loan Table - RNG Coastal Bank RNG Bank offers salary loan for permanent DepEd teaching and non-teaching staff thru Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS). Features: 📍LOW INTEREST RATE 📍LOAN AMOUNT UP TO 500,000 📍5 YEARS MAXIMUM LOAN TERM 📍NO HIDDEN CHARGES 📍NO NEED TO GO TO THE OFFICE A Bank that is built with trust and integrity and committed to provide quality and safe banking services to its existing and future clients, RNG Coastal Bank, Inc . is a banking institution established in the year 1974. The Bank has 15 operating branches in the Visayas, 11 in Cebu and 4 in Bohol. Providing various financial products and services to its clients for almost 50 years, RNG Coastal Bank remains strong and continuously grows its number of branches to reach more Filipinos. Here are the branches of RNG Coastal Bank: RNG Coastal Bank Head Office Cor. Cabancalan Road, Talamban, Cebu City 6000 Labangon Branch Punta Princesa, (Labangon) Cebu City Asturias Branch Poblacion, Asturias, Ce...
When I first heard about Vice Ganda’s comment on the schools in Sorsogon, I didn’t think much of it. I’ve been a teacher long enough to know that education issues can easily get lost in the noise of social media. But then, as I watched the debate unfold online — Heart Evangelista’s name trending, Bicolanos defending their schools, and fans taking sides — I realized something deeper: this wasn’t just about two celebrities.
It was about how we, as a nation, talk about education, accountability, and truth.
🎭 Beyond the Drama: What Really Happened
Vice Ganda, in a segment of It’s Showtime, shared an emotional story about visiting a school in Sorsogon that allegedly had “no reading materials” and “dilapidated facilities.” He said he cried upon seeing it — a sentiment that, in isolation, many could relate to.
But his statement struck a nerve when he mentioned it was in Heart Evangelista’s province. Fans felt it unfairly targeted her, given that she’s not an elected official nor responsible for public infrastructure.
This led to a wave of reactions online — some praising Vice for caring, others criticizing him for being careless with his words.
Here’s the truth: both sides had a point.
Vice’s compassion is commendable, but the focus should’ve been on the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government accountability — not personalities. It’s a reminder that when we talk about real-world problems, context matters as much as intention.
🏫 The Bigger Picture: Education in the Philippines
Here’s a sobering fact: as of 2025, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that only 22 classrooms were completed out of thousands planned nationwide. [Source: Senate Finance Committee Hearing, 2025]
In many regions, teachers still spend their own money for supplies. I’ve done it myself — printing handouts using my own ink, buying chalk from the local sari-sari store, and even using my phone flashlight during power outages to check test papers.
That’s why Vice’s emotional story hit home for many of us educators. Yes, some schools lack resources. But pointing fingers at individuals — even celebrities — misses the systemic issue: our schools need stronger support from DepEd, LGUs, and the national budget.
💔 My Personal Lesson in Public Perception
Years ago, a parent once told me, “Teacher, why are the classrooms dirty?” I remember feeling embarrassed — even defensive — because I was doing my best. But what she really meant was, “Why does the system make it so hard for you to do your job?”
That’s the same nuance lost in online debates like this one. The public outrage isn’t just about who said what — it’s about frustration with how long we’ve accepted the cracks in our education system.
Lesson learned: empathy without accuracy can sometimes harm more than help.
📚 Did You Know?
DepEd oversees more than 47,000 public schools in the Philippines — one of the largest school systems in Asia.
Sorsogon, Heart Evangelista’s home province, has several award-winning public schools recognized for reading programs and community literacy drives.
Many public classrooms rely on donations, alumni associations, and private sector partnerships to stay functional.
So yes — there are struggling schools. But there are also stories of resilience, of teachers and students who thrive despite the odds.
🌱 What This Says About All of Us
At the heart of it, this issue reminds us that education is everyone’s concern — from celebrities to policymakers, from teachers like me to viewers at home. When someone speaks up, let’s channel the emotion toward solutions, not blame.
The next time you hear a story about a “broken school,” remember: it’s not just about who said it. It’s about why it keeps happening — and what each of us can do to fix it.
✏️ In the End
The Vice Ganda–Heart Evangelista issue isn’t really about showbiz. It’s about how we respond to truth, compassion, and accountability in a world quick to judge. As educators and citizens, we owe it to our learners to focus less on the personalities — and more on the policies that shape their future.
Maybe if we all start listening — really listening — our conversations will build classrooms, not just trends.