Global Women Who RULE: What does it mean to me and what it can do for you

A message from Apple Esplana-Manansala:

You know how it feels when you only have one year before you turn 40 in a pandemic-stricken time and thinking about how to create something that leaves a lasting, impactful impression? That exactly what was in my mind when I  said to myself: Okay, this live-streamed global summit for women is something I will bet on.

Living by my mantra of being “a jack of all trades and master of 10,” has allowed me to manage a couple of businesses all at the same time. One of them is a soon-to-be-one-year-old The New Channel (TNC), a live-stream channel where I have always been encouraged to have my own online show. I kept saying no despite being offered hosting a salaried online show. None has proposed a compelling reason enough for me to do it. I always say “I’m pang-backstage.” I say that because the truth is, that’s where I feel I do my best work. 

One trait that I believe to have mastered out of my 10 things that I wanna be great at is my command and attention to details. That trait has set me to be different from others not for anything but for what it’s worth to create something unique and meaningful.

I’m always amazed to know women who share the same experience—juggling a lot of things at the same time and doing what they can to win in life. I see myself in those people—really hungry to be great at what they do; people who don’t need validation yet are happy to be just  be great at what they do. They strive to achieve greatness by their own standard and definition of what it means to be great. And when I see women who are driven by the same motivation, it drives me, too.

My vision for #GlobalWomenWhoRULE is set for a longer term than normally expected. It’s not just an event for the sake of doing one. I see this as an annual event for the coming years still exciting people as far as 2030. I feel it’s a sustainable idea meaning that someone who has been touched by the concept would want to continue the project even without me. Besides, it’s supposedly “ a celebration of being me—a woman.”

Four rules (4R) to 4L: Living a Life that Leaves a Lasting Impression 

RULE #1 

Reach out. Our purpose in this world is to always pay something good forward. None of what we have materially—money, bags, shoes, diamonds and pearls won’t matter if we are not sharing ourselves and what we have with others. Blessings over blessings. Often we hear “live a purposeful life.” or “Live a life that is extended to others.” I agree. But, remember while you’re extending to others, you don’t want to lose yourself along the way. Extending yourself doesn’t mean sharing your material wealth. It can also mean making yourself available when a situation warrants it. Simply put, sharing your time means, sharing yourself.   

RULE #2

Unite. To unite means to become the root to a fruitful tree. You can be the strength that everyone needs in their time of helplessness. Show that you care enough that you move yourself and other each day believing that you’re making this world a better place for yourself and for the people you love. 

RULE #3 

Love. Love isn’t just one thing. It’s everything.

RULE #4 

Encourage each other. You can contribute to define the new normal society where we build each other up rather than pulling each other down. Positive on positivity, no matter what.  

Global Women Who RULE (GWWR) is not just a summit. The concept doesn’t end after it’s streaming but it will start a journey to creating a legacy. It’s a legacy I’m committed to doing for as long as I can hoping that this is the same legacy I want to leave in the women sector.

We celebrate women of different sizes, colors, and motivations. When you celebrate with us, you feel you’re fully express yourself, you feel most loved. 

Despite the noise you hear around and the difficulty of the times, hug yourself because you’re doing great. And this what the summit wants you to always remember. Really, you’re great.

————

Celebrate Filipino women accross the globe —  first of its kind — Global Women Who Reach out to Unite, Love and Encourage each other. 

22 key not speeches, 1 live stream summit, International Women’s Month. 

Watch #GlobalWomenWhoRULE2021 on 27th of March 2021, 1PM - 7PM (Philippine time) live stream via The New Channel. 

Documentary on Special Needs to Screen at Inclusive Education Summit

Please take time to watch Yakap this coming February 22. It might just change your perspectives about a lot of things. You may also read my personal thoughts about the documentary, at http://mommywrites.blogspot.com/2016/09/yakap-embracing-our-differences-must.html

Press Release:

The Center for Possibilities is scheduled to show “Yakap” on February 22, 4:00 pm, at the SMX Convention Center Manila, providing those who missed last year’s premiere an opportunity to view the much-lauded documentary which follows the lives of three families of children with special needs.

Kris Aquino says #YesToInclusion

The screening will be part of the international leadership summit on inclusive education organized by the social enterprise, The Teacher’s Gallery. With the theme, “I Am You – Opening Minds, Opening Hearts: Putting Values into Action”, the summit which will run from February 22 to 24, aims to to spearhead a movement that will advocate for the right of the individual with disability to be educated in the regular classroom. #YesToInclusion is their call.

Renowned international experts, Professors Tony Booth from the University of Cambridge and David Hoff of the Boston-based Institute for Community Inclusion will deliver the keynotes. There will be paper presenters on how inclusion works, posing and challenging theories, and conceiving innovative concepts. Further, participants of the 2016 Boston Study Tour will report on benchmarking best practices in the US classrooms.

International Leadership Summit in Inclusive Education

Expected to take part in the program are Vice-President Leni Robredo, Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely, and UNICEF Country Representative Lotta Sylwander. Senator Bam Aquino and Congressman Alfred Vargas will be presenting the joint bill to serve the people with disabilities worked on by the organizing committee led by the Fully Abled Nation.

Schools, parents, service providers and support groups will impart best practices/perspectives on how inclusion works for their children. To explain their support programs are heads of various associations: AD/HD Association, Autism Society, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome Association. They will also be joined by highly respected developmental and behavioral pediatricians namely Dr. Francis Dimalanta and Dr. Stella Manalo and the Harvard graduates from the International Education Policy program. For the local government unit, Mayor Rex Gatchalian will share Valenzuela’s educational programs serving people with disabilities.

Success Storyteller Sarah Jane Dela Rosa

Another portion to look forward to is the segment of extraordinary people relating their overcoming disability success stories - Sarah Jane Dela Rosa, a 22-year-old student with cerebral palsy fully included in a regular class;  Eric Marco Ramos, the first blind person to qualify for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program administered by the US Fulbright Commission and currently a faculty member at Philippine Normal University;  Dr. Rex Bernardo from the University of Sydney, currently a professor of Mabini Colleges; and Joy Garcia, Chief Executive Officer of Tahanan ng Walang Hagdan. Finally, Mr. Tony Llanes, the blind founder of ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for the Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of Visually Impaired) will be demonstrating digital resources for the blind.

Alongside the talks will be the exhibition of #DrawDisability, a global art campaign launched by the United Nations (UN) Secretary General’s Global Education First Initiative in partnership with the Global Observatory for Inclusion and the UN Global Education First Initiative Youth Advocacy Group.

For inquiries and registration, visit www.theteachersgallery.com, www.iamyouinclusion.net, or call 02-769-3013 / 0977-8095110 / 0998-554-8522.

Kaspersky Lab Presents New Version of Its Flagship Consumer Security Solution with Enhanced Data Protection Features

Recently, Kaspersky Lab has presented the new version of its flagship security solution Kaspersky Internet Security, which provides users with additional opportunities to manage their Internet protection and to ensure their data safety. Read this to know how you can better protect yourself from cyber threats ...

Press Release:

Kaspersky Internet Security is the security solution for the whole family; it protects Windows, Mac, and Android users against malware, dangerous sites, online tracking, fraud and money theft.

This year Kaspersky Lab products for Windows have integrated several new functions. Now users can protect their data from being intercepted during an unsafe Internet connection with the help of Secure Connection. In addition, they can patch potential "holes" in their device security with Software Updater and Software Cleaner.

Marilen Young, Consumer Sales and Marketing Manager at iSecure Networks 
and Anthony Chua, Territory Manager for PH and SG at KL Southeast Asia 

"At Kaspersky Lab we believe that IT security is not only about the effectiveness of a security solution. It is also about the user’s own cyber savviness. Cyber savvy people behave carefully and watchfully online, and they are also ready to apply the latest technological achievements to protect what is most important for them – whether that’s personal information, files, privacy, their devices or peace of mind for their family members. We are striving to offer the user these possibilities with each new version of our solutions," commented Sylvia Ng, General Manager at Kaspersky Lab Southeast Asia.

Secure Connection

Secure Connection allows users to connect to the Internet safely, by encrypting all data sent and received through the network . This is especially important when performing financial operations, authorization on sites, or transferring confidential information, as in these cases traffic interception by a stranger could cause users serious (for example, financial) losses.

This function is especially useful while traveling, when many people are increasingly connecting to insecure Wi-Fi networks to stay in touch.

According to the Kaspersky Lab study, every fifth (18%) user has fallen victim to cybercriminals when traveling. This is not surprising considering the fact that – what a coincidence! – one in five (18%) travelers does not take any steps to protect them online. Secure Connection is now a necessary protection measure when connecting to a public Wi-Fi.

The Kaspersky Lab protection component, Secure Connection, can be launched from the main window of Kaspersky Internet Security. It can also be activated automatically when the device is connected to public Wi-Fi or the user is inputting confidential information online, such as on banking websites, online stores, payment systems, e-mail, social networks, etc.

Within the security product’s license, users have 200 MB of encrypted traffic at their daily disposal, and for an additional monthly or annual fee they can get an unlimited volume of traffic.

Software Updater

One of the common methods of malware penetrating the computer is the use of errors (so-called vulnerabilities) in the programs installed on it. Developers regularly update their products, however not all users regularly update these on their devices.

Software Updater can automatically find the applications that need to be updated and, if the user agrees, install the latest versions from vendor sites on their computer. The user can also request the update of an application manually or add any of them to the list of applications that should not be updated (for example, if the older version is required).

Software Cleaner

According to the Kaspersky Lab study, 37% of users store programs that they do not use on their device. In addition to the fact that this overloads the device memory, it also provides extra opportunities for cybercriminals to penetrate the system.

Software Cleaner scans all applications installed on the computer and marks those posing potential risk. Users sometimes do not even know about these applications being installed on their devices or are unaware of their negative effects.

Software Cleaner will inform users of a program if it has been installed without their awareness or clear consent (for example, as additional software during the installation of another application), or if it slows down the user’s device, provides incomplete/incorrect information about its functions, operates in the background mode, shows banners and messages without permission (e.g., advertising), or is rarely used.

Upon receipt of a report from Software Cleaner, the user can either remove or leave the application in question.

In addition to the new functions, Kaspersky Internet Security has been enhanced with improved advanced technologies such as the multi-level protection of financial transactions (with Safe Money), the prevention of the installation of unwanted applications (with Application Manager, part of the former Change Control feature) and the blocking of advertising banners in the browser (with Anti-Banner).

“Filipinos are heavy mobile and internet users. Filipinos are also known as one of the most active social media users. Through social engineering or hacking of the human mind, careless and unaware Filipinos could be easy prey for cybercriminals. Kaspersky Lab Internet Security 2017 is equipped with new features designed to protect Filipinos and their devices. But more than installing an awesome security product on a device, being cyber savvy online matters the most. It is highly important to behave carefully online. Think security at all times,” adds Anthony Chua, Territory Channel Manager for the Philippines and Singapore at Kaspersky Lab Southeast Asia.

CSM to Hold The GREAT Sunday School and Church Resources SALE This December 2016

Sharing info on where to find great resources for various church ministries ...

Press Release:

December is most-awaited month for us Filipinos because this means Christmas is just around the corner— the season for reunions, vacations, gift-giving, and sale! While most of us are looking forward to the holiday bliss, December is also an opportunity for our churches to plan for the year ahead and prepare resources for a fresh ministry start. That is why Church Strengthening Ministry (CSM) will not miss this opportunity to bless you with The GREAT Sunday School and Church Resources SALE!

As the leading local publisher in developing church resources like Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and discipleship materials, CSM surely has something for your ministry needs. At The GREAT SALE, take advantage of up to 70% discount on our lineup of Sunday school and church resources. We will also be launching the latest VBS curriculum for 2017, Fearless: Standing Boldly for God (available in English and Conversational Tagalog). You can avail of The GREAT SALE Special Promo which includes one (1) package of VBS 2017: Fearless (retail price: P2, 550), one (1) package of Faith Grower One-Year Sunday School Curriculum (retail price: P1, 200) and eight (8) more church resources of your choice—10 items for only P2, 500! You also have a chance to win an iPad Mini 2 when you avail of this promo!

Discounts also apply to all other CSM titles, Bibles, and distributed titles. THE GREAT Sunday School and Church Resources SALE is happening on December 5 to December 17, 2016 at the CSM Bookcorner, Pascor Drive, Sto. Niño, Parañaque City (near NAIA 1).

In addition to enjoying big discounts on books, churches may also take advantage of the FREE Children’s Ministry and Worship Ministry consultation with CSM’s certified trainers and The Worship Project’s Pastor Rommel Guevara. This free consultation aims to help church workers become better equipped to handle upcoming challenges as they relate their specific ministry concerns. Please note that the schedule for each consultation will be per appointment only. Venue will be at the CSM Building. 

To know more about THE GREAT SALE or to set an appointment for the free ministry consultation, you may contact Ella Rodelas at 852-7301 to 04 local 210 or send an e-mail to janellarodelas@csm-publishing.com. 

Relevant Seminars

Church leaders and workers are also invited to attend the following: the Ministry Planning Seminar which will equip you to set, keep track of, and achieve ministry goals, to be held on December 10, 2016 and January 14, 2017; and the Solemnizing Officers Seminar, which would update you on the latest procedures and legalities on solemnizing a marriage (facilitated by two accredited chief statistics officers from the Phil. Statistics Authority) and know how to administer premarital counseling, to be held on December 17, 2016. Venue for both seminars will be at CSM Building, Pascor Drive, Sto. Niño, Parañaque City.  Registration fee is P300.

To register for the upcoming CSM seminars, you may call 852-701 to 04 local 110 and look for Cat Zuñiga or email training@csm-publishing.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meditate Your Way to Health, Success, and Happiness

I want to try this!

Press Release:

What do Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Michael Jordan, and Lebron James have in common? They’re all incredibly successful, hard-working and geniuses in their field, but many people don’t know that they all practice meditation. Oprah said that meditation has made her “1,000 times better”. Michael Jordan and Lebron James, both famous athletes, practiced meditation to sharpen focus and improve concentration. Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, was a well-known meditation practitioner. As stated by his biographer Walter Isaacson, “Your intuition starts to blossom and you start to see things more clearly and be in the present more. Your mind just slows down, and you see a tremendous expanse in the moment. You see so much more than you could see before. It's a discipline; you have to practice it.”

Meditation is the process of reflecting on your mind. When you start looking inside yourself, you will be able to change and improve yourself and thus, tap into so much unrealized potential.  At Ortigas/Makati Meditation, you can look back on your mind and improve your life and career. Through the "subtraction" method you can discover the original nature of the mind. 

The human mind is like a stack of pictures that you have stored in your mind and body. These “pictures" are the accumulation of your past experiences which have formed your pattern of thinking and habits. The pictures stored in your mind contain emotions, thoughts, and attachments to people, places, and material things. They have created their own world in your mind. Because the world in the human mind is not “real”, you can throw them away. This method is systematic and scientific. It is not about suppressing your mind and experiencing temporary comfort. It helps you to eliminate the roots of your human mind, completely. When you empty your mind through the subtraction method, your mind and body will become lighter and more free. You will find the true happiness within you.

At the Ortigas/Makati Meditation Center, professional instructors guide practitioners with the subtraction method and always check their meditation progress in order to help them throw away their thoughts. Most of the practitioners feel the changes in their minds in  2~3 weeks after they practice the subtraction meditation. 

Once the noisy and complicated state of mind is subtracted, then you can feel calm, light and comfortable. You will be able to control the negative emotions that engulf you. You can discover yourself sincerely smiling at the colleagues you used to feel uncomfortable around. 

You will even feel happy in the morning when you wake up. Your work performance improves along with your concentration as the useless thoughts disappear from your head. You will find yourself free from stress. You can recover your confidence and get to know yourself much better.  You will be able to understand people much better, therefore, the relationships with people naturally improve and conflicts will be solved. With the awareness of how to empty your mind, your inner power grows, which allows you to control your mind in any situation you can possibly face. You will always be positive and the quality of your life will dramatically improve. 

The effects of this meditation have been scientifically verified. An extract from the academic paper “The Effects of the Meditation Program on the Brain Function of University Students” published in the Journal of the Completion Education Society stated this: "After the mind subtraction meditation, the university students' brainwaves became stable and their brain quotient enhanced. Therefore, their concentration and thinking ability have improved. Their resistance to stress from internal and external environmental factors has enhanced."  Likewise, meditation has positive effects on the brainwaves. Therefore, it gives people who practice the method mental stability.

This meditation was established in South Korea in November 1996. Currently, there are more than 340 meditation centers all over the world and more than 500,000 people have practiced the method of subtraction to cleanse the mind and body to become the truth.

In the Philippines, there are centers in Ortigas and Makati. The centers open from 9:30 am to 11:30 pm, 7 days a week. If you would like to get more information about meditation, you can register for the free seminar conducted at any of the centers. 

Free Introductory Seminar: Every Saturday at 3:30 pm

Ortigas Meditation Center: 687.1294/0915.254.8986 AIC Gold Tower, F. Ortigas Jr., Pasig

Makati Meditation Center: 856.6943/0915.345.2296 Classica Tower 2, 114 H.V. Dela Costa St.

For more information you can check out the following sites: 

OrtigasMeditation.org ｜MakatiMeditation.org

Facebook.com/ortigasmeditation｜Facebook.com/makatimeditation

MeditationUSA.org ｜guidedmeditationtips.com｜meditationlife.org (Korean)

CBTL Brews the Country's Future Entrepreneurs Through a Business Bootcamp for Kids

Hey moms, dads, and kids! The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® invites all to visit the Kiddie Enterprise Fair …

Press Release:

At a time when the local economy is considered fertile ground for business, many Filipinos are seizing the opportunity to build their own enterprises. Technology now allows for individuals to buy and sell products from the convenience of their own smartphones, information is readily available on the internet, and millenials are more assertive about their individual capacities and proactive in achieving their dreams. 

As we continue to work towards a greater country, it is not only critical that we ride trends as they come; it is also very integral to inculcate in every Filipino fundamental values that will aid the growth of our nation. This foundation can, and should be, built early on in the life of an individual. 

With this in mind, Brew Your Best Year, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®'s community for encouraging customers to be the best versions of themselves, put together a Business Bootcamp for Kids. Designed to teach kids the basics of business in an interactive and experiential way, it is a two-part activity that aspires to mold the youth into becoming the next generation of entrepreneurs who will continue to pave the way for a stronger economy. 

For the first part of the bootcamp, Coffee Bean Kids underwent an Entrepreneurship Workshop facilitated by their partner institution, The Ultimate Learning Accelerator (TULA). During the workshop, the kids learned the foundational knowledge and skills needed to start their own small businesses. To provide an avenue where the kids can apply their learnings, the Business Bootcamp will culminate with a Kiddie Enterprise Fair. During the fair, the Coffee Bean Kids will be selling food and retail items with one goal in mind: to create successful business ventures and return their parents’ investments through their earnings.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® invites everyone to support the Coffee Bean Kids during their first business venture at the Kiddie Enterprise Fair on September 3, 2016, Saturday! The event will take place from 11AM-6PM at the garden area in front of their Bonifacio High Street store. The brand will also be selling their teas at a special rate and promises exciting surprises for all attendees. 

For more information on The Kiddie Enterprise Fair, visit The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® (Philippines) on Facebook and Follow @CBTLPH on Instagram.

Cake Decorating Demo and Book Signing by Buttercream Artists from London

For my friends and readers who love baking cakes, here's an event you might find very interesting!

Press Release:

Renowned  masters of buttercream art Valeri Valeriano and Christina Ong will be at the Activity Center of Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati on  June 18, Saturday, 1:00pm. The multi-awarded chefs behind Queen of Hearts Couture Cakes will do a cake decorating demonstration and introduce their third book. Entitled “Buttercream OneTier Wonders”, it features 30 simple yet sentational single-tier cake decorating projects for all occasions.  Ideal for buttercream beginners, the colorful tome provides step-by-step instruction on a wide range of innovative techniques using piping tips, palette knives, and other tools. 

Pinoy masters of buttercream art

Based in London, the Filipina duo offer the most intensive and extensive buttercream techniques  through classes in Europe, USA, Asia, Middle East, and Australia. They have been acclaimed as international cake stars in prestigious international Cake Shows and featured in numerous distinguished publications and TV Shows. They have also authored the “The Contemporary Buttercream Bible” and “100 Buttercream Flowers”.

They fell in love with buttercream and the piping process in 2011. “Our first ever set of nozzles was the cheapest you could ever find in eBay. Then we noticed that the quality of the piped flowers were not good because of the poor quality of the nozzles we were using. We searched online and found Wilton. We never used any other brand since,” related Valeri.  “Our favorite nozzle of all time is the Wilton Petal Tip 104,” claimed Christina. 

Wilton products will be used during the cake decorating demonstration and event participants will get a chance to bring home Wilton items for free, through the raffle by houseware retailer, Gourdo’s. There will be book signing after the program. 

Tickets are at P200 and can be purchased at Gourdo’s in Alabang Town Center and Megamall  as well as at Living Well in The Podium and SM Aura.  “Buttercream One Tier Wonders”  retails for P950. For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 8123022 or email customercare@gourdos.com

What Should Parents Expect from Schools in the 21st Century?

This is a good read for parents who are looking to maximize their children's potentials. Personally, I  believe that it is not enough to get a child to go to school; parents should make sure first to wisely choose the right school that is a good fit to how their children learn. 

Press Release:

The current changes in the Philippine educational system, particularly with the K to 12 program, expose many challenges that our educational sector has to face for it to be continuously effective and relevant in a fast-changing world. One can argue that the ways of the past no longer effectively meet the demands of the 21st Century; hence, we must reassess our expectations of schools and how they teach our children. 

Sir Ken Robinson, an English author and international advisor on education, presents the need to change existing education paradigms. In a speech about changing education paradigms readily available online, he points that schools operate like factories that churn out products ready to be absorbed in the market since these supposed learning organizations are traditionally based on the models of industrialization. The products of these schools, which go thru the semblance of factory lines in batches, are assessed of their quality based on their economic productivity or the promise of it. The rigid compartmentalization of learning may actually result to a stifling of creativity and love for learning. This production line mentality continues to alienate children who do not do well in traditional and worn-out expectations of the educational system. 

New ways of doing things are therefore necessary if we truly want our children to grow up empowered in helping create a better future rather than merely playing small, insignificant roles in the social structures and economies that have failed many of us. 

Schools, being at the forefront of change initiatives, must in itself change. Gone are the days when a school’s name and family traditions would be sufficient a guarantee for the quality of our children’s education. At its core, schools must embrace the principles of a true learning organization. 

This notion of “a learning organization” was made popular by Peter Senge in his book The Fifth Discipline. He contends that in situations of change, only flexible and adaptable organizations will excel. It is therefore not enough to merely survive in a changing world; organizations also need to advance “generative learning”, or building the capacity to create and re-create their future. Learning organizations have five dimensions that set them apart from traditional organizations – personal mastery, mental models, building shared vision, team learning, and systems thinking. Among these five dimensions, systems thinking is considered to be the cornerstone of a true learning organization.

Using the words of Peter Senge himself, a school or any learning organization which embraces systems thinking is “concerned with a shift of mind from seeing parts to seeing wholes, from seeing people as helpless reactors to seeing them as active participants in shaping their reality, from reacting to the present to creating the future” (1990). 

Here in the Philippines, Benedictine International School advocates the use of Systems Thinking in the classroom. In a systems thinking school, students are trained to see the bigger picture and how the parts of a whole affect each other. Through this way of thinking, a student is able to be more critical in looking at situations and considers an issue fully before coming up with a decision or a conclusion. Students are trained to respond rather to react to situations, and they are more empowered to design their course of action and make responsible choices. Oftentimes, individuals only look into solutions that are close by because of their immediate short term effects on any given situation without taking into consideration their long-term and unintended consequences. Given this context, a lot of the policies that are not well-thought of result to big long-term costs. Students must then take responsibility over their own choices and do not resort to blaming when faced with a difficult situation or a comprising end result. 

In a systems thinking school, students are geared towards finding solutions and are not just relegated to become mere passive consumers of information. They take charge of their own learning and grow beyond the mold of a future good employee, with the backdrop of highly volatile economic times. Students who are products of learning organizations are trained to be more flexible and active agents of change in the 21st Century.

As parents and adults, we are in a position to see the bigger picture in helping our children choose the right school for them. We have the power to choose between allowing our children to merely survive or to thrive in a world that demands so much more from us now. Be more involved in your child’s education by expecting schools to be true learning organizations. To know more about Systems Thinking in schools, you may reach Benedictine international School at 951.7154 / 951.7154 / 951.8960. You may also visit the school website at www.benedictine.edu.ph or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BISphilippines. The school is located in Capitol Hills Drive, Old Balara, Quezon City.  

FitKids - The Active Summer Camp 2016 is Now Open for Enrollments!

Hey, moms and dads! If you’re looking for meaningful activities for your kids this summer, here’s a great option!

Press Release:

This May 2016, FitKids is launching their fitness summer camp for kids in the Philippines for the second time!

FitKids – The Active Summer Camp is a 8-session fitness camp designed especially for kids 3 to 8 years old. The goal is to improve children’s level of physical fitness through fun activities and, at the same time, to educate them on nutrition and the importance of having an active lifestyle at an early age. 

All activities are designed for fun and participation, and are non-threatening and tailored to the skill and fitness level of each child. The camp activities include arts and crafts, yoga, dance, healthy baking and juicing, light boxing, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), Zumba, and basketball. 

According to Anna Escalona, Founder and President of FitKids, “We have successfully launched this for the first time last year in April 2015, thanks to all the partners, parents, and children who joined us in this vocation.” This year’s activities will be conducted in partnership with Urban Ashram Yoga, HIIT Philippines, and Russell Hobbs to create richer experiences for the campers.

FitKids will be held on the following dates: May 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 2016. Participants have the option to attend morning (9AM to 12PM) or afternoon (1PM to 4PM) classes. 

Venue will be at Cabana 1, Valle Verde 5, Pasig City. Early bird rate is P8,000.00 (until March 18 only) while regular rate is P8,500.00. For more information, please contact 0917-5138377 or 0943-7044117 and email reservations to fitkidsph@gmail.com.

Make it a Kiddie Summer to Remember at the Jollibee Kids Club Talent Camp

Moms and dads! You still have time to let your kids enjoy more fun activities this summer! Find out more! 

Press Release:

Children learn best when they are having fun, and the summer season is a great time for young ones to discover and explore their growing talents. This year, Jollibee once again provides its Jollibee Kids Club (JKC) members an opportunity to discover and enhance their talents with its annual Talent Camp, to be held in various stores from April 6 to May 29, 2015. 

Summer is for learning while having fun at the JKC Talent Camp

One of the perks of being a JKC member, the Jollibee Kids Club Talent Camp is a six-day camp with various workshops focusing on the different JKC Smarts, which includes performance arts, arts and crafts, reading, and social skills. The fun-filled activities will culminate in a graduation ceremony wherein the young talents will get to shine and show off their skills. 

The JKC Talent Camp is offered exclusively to Jollibee Kids Club members who are 7 to 12 years old. For little tots who are not yet members but are interested to be part of the workshops, parents only need to purchase a JKC Happyplus Card and register their kids. Once a JKC member, moms and dads can then enroll their child for the JKC Talent Camp at any participating Jollibee store, giving their kid access to a host of fun activities and exciting perks.

From learning to sing and dance, to creating artwork and making new friends,
the JKC Talent Camp surely makes for a summer to remember!

Parents can choose from two packages: they can opt to pay P500 for the workshop fee that comes with a T-shirt and cap; or P200 for the workshop alone. Both packages come with snacks and a certificate of completion after each workshop cycle. 

Let your kids make the most out of summer and learn, play and meet friends at the Jollibee Kids Club Talent Camp. Ask your friendly Jollibee store team for more details or visit   www.facebook.com/JollibeePhilippines. 

2015 World Water Day Creative Selfie Contest for the Youth

Let's make our young people more conscious about protecting the environment! Encourage them to join this contest, which may even win them cash prizes! :)

Press Release:

March 22 is World Water Day. Under the theme ‘Water and Sustainable Development’, the year 2015 provides an important opportunity to consolidate and build upon the previous World Water Days to highlight water's role in the sustainable development agenda.

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram continue to affect the youth by being an important source of information on various issues that surround them.

To create a more meaningful connection with the youth through social media, particularly as 2015 is ASEAN Environment Year with the theme - “Empowering the Youth for a Clean and Green ASEAN,” the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Environmental Management Bureau will be holding a Creative Selfie Contest on Water Conservation for the youth highlighting this year’s World Water Day theme, "Water and Sustainable Development."

The main objective of the contest is to encourage the participation of the youth by sharing their thoughts about the importance of conserving water and protecting our water resources.

The contest is open to young people of Metro Manila and nearby regions 3 and 4A aged 13-17 years old. Participation is free of charge. The theme is, “Water and Sustainable Development.”

For more information and details on the Creative Selfie Contest on Water Conservation, please contact the DENR EMB Environmental Education and Information Division at the following: 

Telefax numbers: (02) 9284674 and (02) 3765610 

E-mail: ecofriendlyschools@gmail.com 

Facebook: National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools Facebook Page 

Happening on Feb. 21-22, 2015: Mabuhay Germany 2015 - Connect Now!

Have you always been curious about Germany and want to know more about this country? Here's a great way to do so! 

Press Release:

The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (GPCCI) together with the German Embassy Manila, Goethe Institut, and the German European School Manila invite you to:

"Mabuhay Germany 2015 - Connect Now!"

Mabuhay Germany will turn Bonifacio High Street, once again into a festival of German products, food, culture and fun this coming 21 - 22 February. The annual Mabuhay Germany in Fort Bonifacio is the biggest German-Philippine exhibition in the country.

Dozens of companies will showcase their high-quality goods and services, while German organizations and institutions present their various activities in fields like development cooperation, education, and cultural work.

The weekend under the slogan "Connect Now!" will be filled with live music and performances, games for all ages like the German Chamber Bingo, and sport activities like the Run for Schools, making Mabuhay Germany an event for the whole family to enjoy.

Getting excited about German culture and lifestyle already? Experts from the Goethe-Institut Manila and the German Embassy will talk about the opportunities of learning the language and working in the country during a joint discussion, taking place on the main stage on Saturday, February 21 at 1 PM. The forum is entitled "Tara na sa Germany!" (directly translated as "Let's go to Germany!"). For more information on the topic, visit Goethe's new web project of the same name: http://www.goethe.de/ins/ph/prj/tng/enindex.htm

For more details about the program please visit: MG2015 Programme

To familiarize on the participating exhibitors and food concessionaires, please click HERE.

See you all at Bonifacio High Street!

Cartoon Network Gets Random this Christmas at Sky Ranch, Tagaytay

Head to Tagaytay with the family this coming second weekend of December and join the fun!

Press Release:

Cartoon Network, the number one kids’ channel in the Philippines, brings crazy holiday fun to Tagaytay with A Very Random Christmas at Sky Ranch on December 13-14. The free admission, weekend-long party will be held at the Amphitheater of Sky Ranch, the complete day destination for families and friends in Tagaytay City. A celebration of all things funny, crazy, goofy, amazing, awesome and random, Cartoon Network’s A Very Random Christmas is the must-attend family event of the season.

  

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests can experience a slew of colorful activities, games and mascot appearances featuring characters from the network’s hit shows like Adventure Time, Uncle Grandpa, Ben 10: Omniverse, The Amazing World of Gumball, Regular Show, and more. Sky Ranch guests will also be able to witness a festive Cartoon Network parade within the park throughout the day. 

  

Special treats are also in store for new and existing Cignal subscribers. The first 60 Cignal subscribers to present their monthly bill at the event will automatically get Meet & Greet Express passes. Sign up for a Cignal subscription at the event and take home a special reversible Adventure Time backpack. 

  

Pile on the exciting randomness this Christmas on Cartoon Network. For more information about A Very Random Christmas, please visit www.facebook.com/asia.cartoonnetwork or www.cartoonnetworkasia.com.

Kids Acts Philippines to Stage "THE WIZARD OF OZ " on September 26 and 27, 2014

Inspire your kids this September! Bring them to watch this classic story!

Press Release:

As a season offering to all children, Kids Acts Philippines proudly presents THE WIZARD OF OZ with script and lyrics by LUIGI NACARIO and music by EUGENE BELBIS.

The story is adapted from the popular version of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum.

The Wizard of Oz is story of a young girl named Dorothy Gale from Kansas who always imagined of beautiful things somewhere over the rainbow. One day, a cyclone came that hit her house and spinned up inside the cyclone, floated down through clouds and crashed to the beautiful and colorful land of the munchkins, the Munchkinland. Her adventure started by following the road paved with yellow bricks to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and asked her way to Kansas. Along the way she met Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion who became her friends and went with her to also seek help from the Wizard. Their journey became so thrilling and enchanting because of the magical powers of the four witches of Oz, the Wicked Witches of East and West and the Good Witches of North - Belinda and South - Glinda. All Witches had magical things that made Dorothy’s adventure delightful, from the Silver Shoes of the Witch of the East to the broomstick of the Witch of West and from the magical kiss of Belinda to Glinda’s revelation of the charm of the shoes. The story is about determination, love, courage, honesty and an important place like no other in the world – home. 

Discover the true charm of the Silver Shoes! Is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz true or a humbug? Kids Acts Philippines will unfold the whole story on stage showcasing the genuine portrayal of the TheCampArt Kid Actors, the scholars’ pool of the company ages 7 to 15 years old. This is a musical play for kids and by the kids augmenting children’s interests in performing arts.

The cast of “ THE WIZARD OF OZ ” features TheCampArt KID ACTORS - Kyline Alcantara (The Wicked Witch of the East), Joshua Ang (Guardian of the Gates/Prince Quelala), Walline Calderon (Princess Gayelette), Woersha Calderon (Queen Mouse), Noel Comia (The Wizard of Oz), Shanelle Comia (Auntie Em), Danica Cortina (Head of the Munchkins), Nadine Cortina (Dorothy), Liam Crisologo (Head of the Winged Monkeys), Van Crisologo (Tin Woodman), Kyla Depositar (China Princess), Nathan Flores (Guardian of the Gates/Prince Quelala), Ella Gonzales (Head of the Munchkins), Denzel Guiao (Tin Woodman), Ivan Jacolsalem (Head of the Winged Monkeys), Alliah Lagulao (Auntie Em), Angel Lagulao (China Princess), Yedda Lambujon (Wicked Witch of the East), Amy Libot (Wicked Witch of the West), Hya Leonado (Belinda), Liza Marcos (Princess Gayelette), Gabie Mendoza (Dorothy), Atascha Mercado (Wicked Witch of the West), Allen Orolfo (Scarecrow), Raven Orolfo (Cowardly Lion/Uncle Henry), Justin Orolfo (Scarecrow), VJ Parreno (Cowardly Lion/Uncle Henry), Jo Angelie Salandanan (Glinda), Kara Salvanera (Red Soldier Girl), Kyla Salvanera (Glinda), Jewel Yu (Queen Mouse), Angel Yu (Belinda).

The artistic team of THE WIZARD OF OZ is composed of Eugene Belbis (Orchestration); Christian Bautista (Lighting Design);  Emma Doverte (Production Management); Jasvir Basra (Stage Management); Manuel Edralin (Set Design);  Luigi Nacario (Choreography & Costume Design); and  Arvin Mercado & Navette Flores (Photography). 

Regular Run: SEPTEMBER 26 (Friday) and 27 (Saturday), 2014. 

Time: 10:00AM, 1:00PM, 4:00PM & 7:00PM

Venue: STAR THEATER, Star City Compound, CCP Complex, Pasay City

Ticket Price: Php 450. Call TICKETWORLD at 891.9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph

For further inquiries, please call 7501551 / 09154478959, visit  Facebook page www.facebook.com/kidsactsphilippines, follow @KidsActs on Twitter and @kidsactsphilippines on Instagram.

Shui Mo: A Chinese Painting Workshop for Beginners & Intermediate at the Yuchengco Museum

One of my frustrations growing up was not having the time to properly learn how to paint. This sounds really, really interesting! Some of you may want to enroll in this workshop … I wish I have the time and the budget :/

Press Release:

Traditional Chinese brush painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world, showcasing the harmony between man and nature. "Shui Mo" (water and ink) is a freestyle technique created using a brush dipped in ink and water and onto rice paper. 

Practicing Shui Mo expresses one's creativity and artistry, calms the mind, and gives a better appreciation for the beauty of art and nature. 

Prerequisites 

Students must have prior experience in Western or Chinese painting. 

Class Format 

Workshop students are given photocopies of the lesson for the week. The instructor demonstrates the lesson, describing the steps and the proper handling of tools and materials. Students then work on their own paintings, while the instructor checks on individual progress. Weekly assignments are given, to be submitted the following session. 

Workshop Fee 

Workshop fee is P6,500, which does not yet include materials. Supplies can be purchased from the instructor on the first session.

Date & Time 

10 Sat afternoons: Aug. 23, 30; Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27; Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25; 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Topics to Cover 

Chinese Orchid, Chrysanthemum, Morning Glory, Tulips, Birds

Instructor 

Pieh Tsai Shiu-Yuin (Arsenia Lim) maintains strong bonds to three places: China, where she traces her ancestral roots; Taiwan, where she received her university education and art training; and the Philippines, her birthplace and family residence. 

Arsenia Lim has been teaching Chinese painting full-time since the mid-1960s, and has been conducting her Shui Mo painting classes at Yuchengco Museum since 2006.

For workshop details, contact: 

Elma Abrina 

Programs Officer 

(632) 889-1234 

abrina_programs@yuchengcomuseum.org

KidZania Manila Introduces The Educational Entertainment Concept To Filipino Academe

Kids! Get ready for KidZania Go! this August to October! I hope your schools will get a visit :)

Press Release:

KidZania Manila formally introduced its unique educational entertainment concept to teachers, educators and other members of the Philippine academe during the KidZania Educators’ Pod held at The City Club in Alphaland Makati recently. More than 90 child education experts from over 30 schools and learning institutions across the metro learned about the innovative indoor play city, which aims to help students reach their full potential through interactive role-play. 

Kids can be anything they want to be -- teacher, doctor, firefighter, and chef --
at KidZania Manila

“We look forward to supporting and complementing our teachers’ efforts to help Filipino children and their parents discover the amazing power of role-play as well as the fun ways children can explore and discover their gifts,” said Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas, President and CEO of Play Innovations Inc. and Governor of the State, Philippines.

Pangilinan-Arenas added that at KidZania Manila, children can learn to work with others, practice being good citizens, and work together to build a real sense of community. “We aim to create one of the most memorable and enriching KidZania experiences in the world, cognizant of both the universal and unique needs of children in a developing nation such as ours,” she said. 

Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas

The global leader in children’s educational entertainment, KidZania Manila recognizes the power of role-playing and activates this concept to empower kids so they can learn through personal experience and, ignite their imagination, as they learn by doing. Set to open at the Bonifacio Global City in early 2015, the indoor play city features over 100 role-playing activities in different establishments supported by real-world brands.  Depending on their interests, children can choose from a wide range of jobs – be a Cebu Pacific pilot or cabin crew, ABS-CBN news anchor or correspondent, or a McDonald’s burger chef apprentice.

At KidZania Manila, kids will have hands-on experience through role-play of different careers, discover how a city works, and learn economic fundamentals - the concept of earning and managing money.  Each experience provides contextual learning experiences about teamwork, independence, self-esteem, financial literacy, and other valuable life skills.

Get set for KidZania Go!

During the event, the KidZania Manila team also unveiled KidZania Go!, the mobile extension of the kid-sized city which will give a foretaste of in-park activities. The traveling educational entertainment platform will tour different schools in Manila from August until October 2014, allowing children to get a glimpse of the KidZania Manila experience before the play city opens in early 2015.  

KidZania Manila and KidZania Go! have been developed under the supervision of child educators and psychologists, promoting values, self-discovery and life skills development in a fun and entertaining way. “The KidZania experience complements what kids learn in school and makes the concept of authentic assessment come to life. It enhances and extends the learning objectives and methodologies of K to 12 by providing powerful experiences that are not always possible in the formal schooling environment,” said KidZania Manila Minister of Tourism Rudy Villar.