Workshops for Kids and Adults - Summer 2009

Museo Pambata Summer "Art's Cool"
The Museo Pambata, the Philippines’ interactive children’s museum, is offering the following Classes starting on April 13 and 14.

ART'S COOL 2009
Basic Art and Painting Sessions: 8 sessions (2 hrs. per session) Rate: P 4,500.00 For kids 5 to 7 years old

Integrated Art and PaintingRate: P 5,000.00 For Kids 8 to 12 years old

Shadow Puppetry WorkshopRate: P 3,500.00 Kids 9 to 12 years old

Arts and Crafts Rate: P 3, 500 Kids 8-12 years old

An orientation for parents and enrolled children is scheduled on March 31, 10 am. For inquiries and other concerns, please call Museo Pambata at Telephone: (632) 523.1797 to 98, 536-0595Facsimile: (632) 522.1246 Mobile (bookings and reservations only): Email: info@museopambata.org.

Creative voices Workshop
Check out http://ateneo.multiply.com/journal/item/9142/Creativoices_Summer_Workshops

Spotlight Artists Center
Summer Program for 2009 – Managed and operated by Internationally renowned Filipino Artists such as Isay Alvarez and Robert Sena (original casts of the Award-winning Play “Miss Saigon”)

Musical Theatre Level 1
For Kids 7 - 13 yrs.) and Adults (14 yrs. and above)
Schedule: April 13, 2009 – June 3, 2009
Rate:P 10,000

Musical Theatre Level 2
(For budding Actors who have had Musical Theatre Workshop and Theatre Experience.)
April 14, 2009 – June 9, 2009
Rate: P 10,000

Spotlight Kids
(Creative Play through Music, Dancing, and Acting)
For Kids 4 – 6 yrs old
April 14, 2009 – June 2, 2009
Rate: P 7,840

Hip-hop Dancing
March 27, 2009 – May 29, 2009
Rate: P 6,048

Ballroom Dancing
March 27, 2009 – May 29, 2009
Rate: P 6,048

Group Voice Lessons
March 26, 2009 – May 28, 2009
or
March 27, 2009 – May 29, 2009
Rate: 3,000

Classes mostly have 8 to 12 students per session. For inquiries, please check their website at http://spotlightartistscentre.com/main/ or call 899-8089.

Gimme' A Break! - 2009 Summer Activities for Kids

Summer's here. To avoid having bored children at home (who eventually become cranky, more often than not), here are some of the things they can do:

Swimming
1. Summer Swim Camp with Coach Joey Andaya
Coach Joey, as we fondly call him, is one of the best, if not the best, coach in the Philippines. With his background as SEA Games gold medalist and his stint as National Coach, it will be a privilege for the swimmer to join him and his team during this activity where the coach promised to share his expertise.
Date: March 30 to April19, 2009
Location: Lingayen, Pangasinan
Fees: 3000 Php (Training Fee for the whole duration)
50 Php/day X 21 days (pool fee)
150 Php/day x 21 days (dorm)
600 Php (miscenllaneous fee)

All inquiries and reservations should be directed to Coach Joey Andaya at mobile number +63(916)6462978.

Photography

1. Digital 101: Photography and the Computer by Jay Alonzo
March 9, 11, 13, 17, and 18, 2009, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the Alcove (Filipinas Heritage)

The workshop focuses on the following:

Factors affecting photographic output
Basic understanding of light
The digital camera and its functions
Exposure setting
How to see and take better pictures
Basic image manipulation and output considerations

There will be photo assignments, critiquing, and a photo clinic. The only requirement is to bring a Digital camera, preferably SLR. Venue is at the Reading Room, Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle, Makati City (across The Peninsula Manila)
FeePhp 4,000.00 inclusive of handouts, meals, computer use, and certificate.
A pre-registration fee of Php500.00 (non-refundable) is requested on or before March 2 with a 10% discount to be extended payments made prior to the deadline. For inquiries please call 8921801, send an SMS to 0917-5594417 , email salvador.jd@ayalafoundation.org.

2.
Digital 101: Photography and the Computer (With Photo Trip and Exhibit)
Schedules:
Summer Class Batch 1: April 4–5 (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Summer Class Batch 2: April 18 –19 (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) -->

The workshop is designed for digital-camera users who want to learn the basics of photography. The focus will be on:

Factors affecting photographic output
Basic understanding of light
The digital camera and its functions
Exposure setting
Taking better pictures, and improving the way one looks at pictures
Basic image manipulation and output considerations

The workshop will also be conducted by Jay Alonzo. Fee is also 4,000 Php. For inquiries, please call 8921801, send an SMS to 0917-5594417 , email cruz.ct@ayalafoundation.org.

3. Photoworld Manila

The Photoworld Manila has published its 2009 Schedule for its Basic Photography Workshop
Fee: P3,500 (5 Sessions) which includes film and developing for manual camera users courtesy of Fujifilm.

SATURDAYS:April 25, May 2,9,16 & 23May 30, Jun 6,13,20 & 27July 4,11,18,25 & Aug 1August 8,15,22,29 & Sep 5September 12,19,26, Oct 3 & 10October 17,24, Nov 7,14 & 21November 28, Dec 5,12,19 & 26

SUNDAYS:(NEW!)March 22, 29, April 5, 19 & 26April 26, May 3,10,17 & 24May 31, Jun 7,14,21, & 28July 5,12,19,26 & Aug 2August 9,16,23,30 & Sep 6September 13,20,27, Oct 4 & 11October 18,25, Nov 8, 15 & 22November 29, Dec 6,13,20 & 27

The Venue of the workshop is at the Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila. Inquire from the FPPF Secretariat (Tel: 524-7576).

This is the first of a series of blogs for the activities for summer. Please come back soon to check or subscribe to my blog. Thanks.

Mushu, My Baby's Grown Up (And Saving China!)

Ah, Mushu's line stuck to me.

It seems like yesterday when I was holding my daughter in my arms. Her whole frail body barely spanning the length of my forearm. Now, just barely 15 years after, she's even taller than I. Not that I'm complaining, but I guess that's how parents are. We love to think and play the all-protective, ominous, and omniscient creatures from Mount Olympus. Well, at least that's how I have always been to my daughter.

Reality struck me light lightning though. Last week it dawned upon that my little girl is no longer a little girl. She had indeed grown up. We have this writings on the side of her door. Tiny streaks that look like dashes with some dates on them. Actually, I record her height there. I am not good at keeping things because when I keep them I don't find them anymore until probably a century after. LOL. We had recorded her height last January, a few weeks after she had gotten her brace. That time, she was about .5 of an inch shorter than I. Thus, I didn't expect her to grow so fast. After all, she's almost 15 and girls her age grow an inch a year on the average. Besides, with her scoliosis, it's not good for her to add so much to her height. But then again, the additional inches could probably be a result of her brace. If you recall she's now wearing a milwaukee brace. It runs a little lower than her chin to her hips, the purpose of which is to keep her back and neck straight which hopefully will stop her spine from further curvature. We had this conclusion because we measured her height without the brace and she seemed half an inch shorter than when she had it on.

And then there's the flashback that indeed these past years we hardly got to watch movies, nor do most of the things we did when she was in her gradeschool. Now, she has more work to do that sometimes we have to leave home without her - something that we had very rarely done in her younger years.

Whatever the reason is, she is just a few years from adulthood. With that realization come the fear and the excitement that she does have to face life and its beatings very soon. I'm scared. We hear and read about things that befall children and adults. I guess there's no other one who can help her - not me nor her dad - when she does grow up and have a life of her own. Yes, Mushu, she's grown up. But as she grows, I hope and pray that she lives a life according to what she knows is right. Only God can truly help her. And I know God will.

May the King of Kings, Jehovah, bless you, my sweet, sweet daughter.

Experimenting on Wheatgrass - EDSA Garden House at the Manila Seedling Bank

After several readings and encounters with wheatgrass, I decided to give it a try. Being my family's main caregiver and "health director", I feel it is my responsibility to keep abreast with the latest information and technology on health.

I went to the Manila Seedling Bank yesterday. Situated at the corner of Quezon Avenue and EDSA with a very large tarpaulin ad, I couldn't have missed it. Besides I had been there a number of times in the past.

Well, according to my little research, the wheatgrass is good for many many things. Detox, cancer prevention, facial care, skin rejuvenation, etc. Sounds good. I had my first encounter with the grass (yes, dear reader, it is grass) at an exhibit in Tiendesitas. There was a company, I think you call it Mighty Dove, that was selling wheatgrass in powder form. But I'm not really fond of powdered juices. I prefer to take them as close to their natural state as I can. Actually, TIPCO juice has spinach with wheatgrass. But my daughter noted that it has orange - and wheatgrass shouldn't be mixed with citrus because the latter destroys the enzymes of the grass which is its most beneficial property.

Inside the Manila Seedling Bank is the EDSA Garden House where the wheatgrass is sold. That's just among other things as the place is actually an herb/vegetable garden. I heard you can actually buy other things there - meat, fish, and of course vegetables. But I didn't see any when I went. It could be because I didn't really go around that much. I'll go back there and write about it.

For those of you who wish to contact the EDSA Garden House, you may reach them at tel. number (632) 927-0510 or 929-3189. They are located at the Manila Seedling Bank Environmental Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines.

DIY or Buy?

Have you had the urge to make things on your own once you've tried out something? I always have. Like, now, I'm into this project of making my own projector. It's not something new. In fact, there are so many materials to be found on the internet. But, how many people do you think will want to make one? In case you don't know of anyone, here's your surprise - you are actually reading the blog of one such person.

When it comes to food, I am one to experiment on dishes that are either the same as something I liked or something different altogether. I broke my blender 2 weeks ago and now I'm looking for the service center to have it repaired. In the meantime, I'm using a juicer which I recently purchased. Juicing is not something new to me. I've had one juicer in the past which I also broke after some years of use. But I never really realized how much it would be worth to me until these past few years when I started was exposed to healthy diets and all that. I've been trying out combinations of vegetables and fruits. Sometimes, they turn out to be really good. At other times, ummm, let's just say I am the only one who can BARELY take it. hehehe

So far, the best combinations I've had are those with carrots, apples, pineapples, mangoes and strawberries. I've tried to juice bell pepper because I've red about how capsicum is good for the heart. Ah, but alas, even with much prodding and some scientific explanations, I was the only one who drank it.

I'm trying to get my hand on those wheatgrass which is talked about much these days due to the health benefits one gets from taking the juice. I found out about it when I was in Singapore. Oh, i know about the juice drink alright. But what I didn't know about was that it could be grown and juiced at home.

Juicing at home has its health benefits probably more than what we can get from those we find on the grocery rack. These are also good. But you know what? We discovered the Tipco Juice that claims to be 100% natural. Of course I cannot tell you that this is true because I do not have so much information about this. Nonetheless, people have professed that the juice is indeed natural. And you know what else? They have wheatgrass juice! I have been searching for this for a couple of months but i have not found one yet in the Philippines. But, the ones we got are good enough and taste superb that you wouldn't think there's any veggie in it. But, yessirree, good news for those who do not like veggies, you can get them without making your life miserable. My daughter loved it ever since she tried those in Singapore. So now, we buy a few everytime we're in the grocery.

My cousin in law says looks like the Tipco wheatgrass juice really does its work. Her daughter used to be so constipated. But now that she's taking the juice, her bowel movement has changed to become a daily habit.

November 2008 Philippine Nursing Licensure Examinations Out

We were just talking about it last night. The NLE Exams are now out but have not been posted on the net yet. Please check out PRC's Website. Or check back here because I will post it as soon as I get hold of the copy.

Let's thank God for our new nurses and congratulate them too. Well done guys!

Singapore 2008

Photobucket Album

Is Your Kid Home and Safe?

Picture this: your kid playing at home. You feel safe and secure, don't you? Well, guess what? Your kid isn't as safe at home than on the street. Why? Because on the street, there are more people. The more people there are, the lesser chance for anyone to attack or kidnap your child. But at home, who's there to keep them from harm? If you were in the Philippines, chances are that you'd have a grandmother or a maid to watch over your little one. But, what can they do against a bigger, younger and stronger male? Not much I suppose.

I had the same feeling. I got into this trouble and I had that picture exactly in my mind. Once, I was told that a man came to the house. He didn't knock. He didn't say anything. All he did was look and observe. Mysterious. And scary. You wouldn't quite know how I'd felt unless you were in the same boat as I was. I couldn't sleep. I wanted to take her with me everywhere I went. Even at school, I wanted to be with her. I didn't want her out of my sight 24 hours a day.

I live in a condominium where everybody knew everybody. But then again we didn't see each other so much and I couldn't expect them to keep an eye on my daughter so often. I wanted to hire a security guard for additional safety but it spelled an expense over and above what I can afford.

Now, I realize that back then I should have gotten one of those automatic gates which I had seen on tv. Well, excuse my ignorance as it is not common here in the Philippines. Either the US automatic, Viking Access or the Apollo would have lessened my anxiety. Those gates would be controlled either from inside or outside the house without the need for a security guard. Plus it will give the additional protection from intruders who would want to get into the home. That would address my concern. The gates are so practical they could fit into the design and space in my home. And the price, it's not so much as to pay for the services of a guard for 6 months.

Why didn't I know about those gates before?

What have YOU done?

lol...

Actually, that should be rephrased to read "what did you do over the christmas season?" Now that I've got your attention, I should just let you know what I did right?

Christmas has always been a busy holiday for me. First, there was the shopping for gifts. As the years pass, our ever-so-large christmas list becomes longer and longer what with the additional inaanaks both for christening and for weddings. Last year, I alone had an additional of at least 4. Even at 14, Ikee has hers already. Boyet didn't have any but he has a new job assignment and has more people to give gifts to.

Then, there was the tiangge. In the Philippines, these small stalls sprout at almost any corner during the yuletide season if only to cater to the huge volume of shoppers. Any place would become an instant flea market where great finds normally await each buyer. We had a 1-day sale here at our condo which also served as a garage sale. I had so many things to sell, both brand new things and used ones, and had earned some money from the sales. But I had to give money to my dad and those that helped me.

Then, there was the annual christmas eve party that I host for my friends and my help, and her family. Of course, I cooked almost everything to make it special.

Shortly after christmas, we flew to Singapore to give Ikee her treat. We had wanted to go to Sagada but our friend, Gutch, and his family, were not available to join us. So, there, Gutch, it's officially your fault. hah! It was great but then you'd have to read my blog over at www.pinas-et-al.blogspot.com so I won't have to repeat my story here.

So, what did you do?

Standing Firm on My Beliefs

Being an independent minded person is both a blessing a curse. You do what is right but in the process you hit hard on those that get in the way.

During a competition that we recently had, I had to handle the encoding of entries up to the tabulation of the results. My dilemma was that my daughter who was one of the swimmers was erroneously (by accident or by choice)entered in the level lower than what she really is in. During a prior competition she had earned a silver medal which entitled her to a promotion to the next level - from D to C. Now, having competed with the same girls unknowingly, she naturally won the gold. But as I had encountered her name and noticed the error, you can imagine how my thoughts raised. I could just let it pass without anyone noticing. Anyway, it wasn't really my fault that it happened. And my daughter was already rejoicing over the fact that she had taken the top spot in that category. It would be easy to ignore. But I couldn't let her win, Not if she didn't deserve to.

I had been in a consistent battle with the coaches just to let them know about the errors and dishonesty they had been practicing. This one might have been deliberately placed there. We had already issued the reclassification based on the results of the prior swimming competition and anyone could justhave checked her name out and seen it. But no, noone actually cared to check but I. And it did bother me.

Of course she didn't get any medal for that event. She did from other events even when I actually corrected her level. After all, the basis is her swimming time. But I had to tell her why she didn't get that one medal which caused her the trophy she wanted. 3 gold medals would have earned her a trophy. she only got 2. But when she heard my side of the story, she was so proud of me. Virtues can be taught best by experience.