By Merlina Hernando-Malipot  In line with its efforts to promote nationalism and sense of patriotism, the Department of Education (DepEd) enjoined learners and teachers, as well as its officials and staff, to watch an opera show to be shown next week. Education Secretary Leonor Briones
(DepEd / MANILA BULLETIN) Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd Memorandum No. 73 s. of 2019, has invited DepEd teachers, learners, officials, and staff to watch “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera Touch Me Not” this coming June 21, (Friday) at 2:00 pm and June 22, (Saturday) at 7:45 pm at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex in Pasay City. The said production is sponsored by DepEd in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the CPP. Briones said that the activity is pursuant to the provision of Administrative Order No. 322 issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos on March 20, 2007, declaring the month of the anniversary month of the DepEd. This, she added, was also in support of the current administration’s agenda for “cultural awareness and appreciation.” Considered as a “landmark” production, Briones said that the “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera Touch Me Not” aims to “provide a great opportunity for high school teachers and students to explore a period in the Philippines history presented through vivid artistic performance.” Aside from promoting patriotism and nationalism, Briones noted that watching the said production will “expose our stakeholders to a wealth of education resources through theater art.” The attendees of the June 21 scheduled showing are those from Regions 3 (Malolos City, Meycauayan, and San Jose Del Monte); Region 4-A (Cavite, Cavite City, Bacoor, Dasmarinas, Imus, and General Trias) and the National Capital Region (NCR) which include the cities of Manila, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Navotas, San Juan, Pasay, Valenzuela, Pasig and Caloocan. Expected attendees are school principals; head teachers of Filipino, English, and Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH); High School Teachers of Filipino, English, and MAPEH and Grade 9 Junior High School (JHS) students. On the June 22 showing, attendees are the DepEd Executive Committee Members; Regional Directors (RDs) and Asst. RDs, Schools Division Superintendents (SDS) and Asst. ASDs; Central Office (CO) Bureau Directors and CO Division Chiefs and selected staff members. Briones reminded that the participants shall be on official business, thus, travel expenses and other incidental expenses of regional attendees will be charged to their respective local funds, subject to existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations. “No registration fees shall be collected as well,” she reminded. Meanwhile, Briones reminded teachers and administrators to ensure adherence to DepEd Order NO. 66 series of 2017 or the “Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of Off-Campus Activities.”