text: What do K to 12 and Technical Writing have in common? The two topics just happened to be the choice subjects of the Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) for the one-day seminar offered by CFA.
  Around 50 educators and staff of ERDA Foundation attended the seminar, which was held at the ERDA headquarters in Sta. Mesa Heights on April 1, 2013. The seminar, which CFA organized with the support of LJP Foundation, was intended to provide further orientation on the Department of Education's K to 12 (Kinder to Grade 12) program and to improve participants' capability and knowledge on technical writing.
  The morning session was facilitated by DepEd's Program Coordinator for Basic Education Reform, Mr. Elvin Uy. He explained that in 2011, the Philippines was one of just three remaining countries in the world that required less than 12 years of pre-university education. Yet the purpose of our government's K to 12 reform was not only so that our educational system can match international standards, but also so that all Filipinos can become lifelong learners. He also encouraged everyone to stay informed by visiting their website and other relevant social media sites. In the open forum that followed, questions were raised regarding the eligibility of ERDA's kindergarten 'graduates' to move on to Grade 1 in the K to 12 system. More issues were raised during the forum, so Mr. Uy advised the ERDA participants to contact him for another meeting if more questions came up. Participants were satisfied with the informative and substantive morning session.
  The afternoon provided practical learning as the participants were taught the do's and don'ts of technical writing by CFA's Print Media and Sales Director, Mr. Noel de Leon. He gave them tips and tricks for preparing minutes, such as what to bring to a meeting and what to do before and after the meeting. Although notebooks and pens are ordinarily the most essential things to bring to a meeting, nowadays, an android phone, tablet, or laptop would do just as well for note-taking. He also showed some useful applications like Evernote and Meeting Rec which could do multiple voice recording to capture even the slightest detail in a meeting.
  In writing a report, he mentioned that the reader is the most important person to consider. Therefore, starting from the first page through the end of the report, it should be concise, comprehensive, and simple. As a challenge, he then invited the participants to apply what they had learned by making their own reports with the title, "The K-12 Program and its Implications to ERDA". The top 3 reports will be given prizes that are yet to be revealed. Entries are to be submitted to cfa_emedia@yahoo.com on or before the deadline on the 1st of May.
  CFA has previously worked in partnership with ERDA on communication skills workshops as well as on a series of workbooks on Alternative Learning System modules for out-of-school youth.