A young Pinoy scholar brought pride to the Philippines as he completed his Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree as Summa Cum Laude. This special program also allowed him to study in several European universities!

On his Facebook page, Kent Tangcalagan, MA, MHSS, RN, shared that he was able to study from the University of Budapest in Hungary, the University of Regensburg in Germany, and the University of Trento in Italy.

As he succeeded in this new milestone in his academic life, the young man could not help but miss his late parents as he dedicates his achievement in their honor. Just like many young people, he hopes that his parents are proud of him. And though they could no longer tell that to him in person, netizens are quite sure that wherever they are, his parents are truly proud of his achievements!

Photo credit: News 5 / Facebook

“Closing for now this beautiful chapter of my two-year Erasmus Mundus journey here in Europe. If there has been one great thing I’ve learned from these last two years, it would be – resilience. I’ve been tested these past two years with the toughest times while being all away to the other side of the world.

But through all those challenges, it has only made me even stronger and inspired to move even further. Wherever mom and dad may be right now, I hope they look over me with pride not because of the achievements that I may have reached, but because of how I’ve managed to overcome whatever obstacles and surprises that life has to offer.

These wouldn’t have been possible as well without all the love and support I get from my family, the people who treat me their family, my friends and to everyone I’ve met all over the world. My overflowing thanks goes to all of you.”

Tangcalagan completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Associate in Health Science Education at the University of San Jose – Recoletos (USJR) in Cebu City, central Philippines. He would later take up his Master of Health Social Science at De La Salle University where he would later become the Gender Research Associate at the school’s Social Development Research Center.

Photo credit: Kent Tangcalagan / Facebook

His 2-year Erasmus Mundus journey in Europe made him Graduate Research Intern at no less than the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies at Max Planck Society, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist at the USAID HRH 2030 Philippines at Chemonics, and many other impressive experiences and achievements.

But what truly impressed netizens is that Tangcalagan would graduate as summa cum laude from his Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree! Truly, this brilliant young man is an inspiration to many.

Photo credit: Kent Tangcalagan / Facebook

What is the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree?

According to its catalog, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) is “a prestigious, integrated, international study programme, jointly delivered by an international consortium of higher education institutions (HEIs) and, where relevant, other partners with specific expertise and interest in the study program.”

Students who receive the scholarship are provided with full-tuition fees and allowances so they can concentrate on their studies without having to look for a job to pay for their expenses.

A student recently went viral for the impressive way she makes drawings with her feet, because she has no arms.

What’s amazing about this young lady is that she did not let her lack of arms stop her from honing her talent in art as she creates amazing artwork with just her feet!

Photo credit: James Konstantin Galvez / Facebook

Journalist James Konstantin Galvez recently shared photos of Angel Mae Otom, a young girl who was born with no arms but has learned to make use of her legs and feet for activities that would have otherwise require arms and hands.

According to Galvez, Angel is joining the editorial cartooning contest for the first time, but he hopes she would get a podium finish at the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC). What impressed Galvez so much is that even with no hands and just using her feet to draw, Angel is able to make amazing work that is at part with the best cartoonists around.

Photo credit: James Konstantin Galvez / Facebook

If you hadn’t seen Angel making the art with feet using your own eyes, you might think that the artist who created the artwork made use of his/her hands!

Just like Galvez, a lot of netizens are hoping that Angel would make it to podium finish in the national contest.

Photo credit: James Konstantin Galvez / Facebook

The 16-year-old high school student represented Olongapo City National High School during the Division School Press Conference in Olongapo City last Saturday.

A netizen commented that she hopes Angel won’t get special treatment in the contest, just because she’s a cartoonist with no hands.

“I also do hope that there won’t be any special treatments to her works in competitions because she’s a talented and amazing person with disability. Let’s keep the judging fair, shall we?” Gloricar Abeleda Moralista wrote.

Galvez gently chided the netizen, telling her that the photo was meant to inspire but the judging process is surely a different story. He added that the judges are credible enough to make a sound decision. Plus, in most contests, the judges are often ‘blind’ to the identity of the contestants.

Photo credit: James Konstantin Galvez / Facebook

What is Editorial Cartooning?

Editorial cartooning is a type of journalism that uses art, particularly caricatures, to express the artist’s opinion on timely issues in the news.

An old lady recently went viral after netizens saw her selling corn, having a difficult time pushing her cart – and she does this rain or shine!

Netizen Mira Barde (MiracArl Barde) of Santa Cruz, Laguna, shares photos of the old lady as she pushed that heavy makeshift wooden cart across the streets. With a hunchback from old age and osteoporosis, the old lady has a hard time walking, yet she tries her best to move so she could sell her corn.

Photo credit: Mira Barde (MiracArl Barde) / Facebook

In one of the photos, the old lady was passing by the place near Mira was staying. It was raining hard, but she carries on like it was nothing because she has to earn money. It seems that she regularly does this, making Mira and many netizens worry about her well-being.

While Mira was not able to ask the old lady her name or age, it was obvious that she is at least 60 years old, judging from her white hair and wrinkled skin.

This made a lot of netizens worry that she might get tired so easily and could collapse under the heat of the sun.

Photo credit: Mira Barde (MiracArl Barde) / Facebook

And while many expressed admiration that this old lady continues to work even at her age, many were also concerned that she’s too old for the work. They were questioning why she has to do this and where could her family be.

Several netizens also tagged civic-oriented shows like Raffy Tulfo in Action and Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho in hopes that the old lady could be featured and that she could receive much-needed help, like a sari sari store perhaps, so that she won’t have to do this again.

Photo credit: Mira Barde (MiracArl Barde) / Facebook

Rain or shine, the old lady sells her corn, but everyone is hoping she could have another option so she can stay safe and will no longer be tired after a day of pushing her heavy cart.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that literally means ‘porous bones’. The bones are porous and fragile, making them more prone to fracture.