ABS-CBN AND DEPED: GEARING UP FOR UNIVERSAL KINDERGARTEN AND MASSIVE TOY DRIVE

May 09 2010 - I attended the memorandum of agreement signing of ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service Head Fr. Tito Caluag and DepEd secretary Bro. Armin Luistro at Chef Jessie in Rockwell Center to formalize the partnership for the nationwide toy drive.

The goal is to collect toys for the 1.9 million kindergarten students that are expected to enroll in the 38,000 schools and day care centers nationwide.


Father Caluag and Brother Ermin explain the real essence of this project, which is to to instill the value of generosity, to become advocates of charity and creative learning, and to develop good and responsible citizens.


In my own point of view, this massive toy drive is not just another "pagpapapogi" of either parties. Let's not make bad comments about the project as a lot of kids (students) will benefit from this project.


While listening to the "Father" and "Brother" tandem, I remember donating toys and other educational materials at Mt. Tapusi in Rodriguez, Rizal last year...

We passed by huge lime stones, met caves along the way, passed by a narrow bridge made up of bamboos and metals, and walked on rough roads.

We cannot believe there is a school on top of a mountain and that far. We were surprised because the kids prepared a song and dance number for us in return.

Wow, our charity event is almost the same with DepEd's.  The difference is we have just collected toys and gave it to the school.  DepEd wants us to give our own most cherished toy since we were a kid and give it.  Hmm, I'm feeling a little "separation anxiety" with my toy now.  But this is the spirit!  We have to give something that really comes from our heart.


Also there to show his support for the project is actor Xian Lim, who will play a big role in the campaign as one of its spokespersons.

He was supposed to be joined by the late teen actor AJ Perez, who already committed to the project before his untimely death.




The ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service is also teaming up with the Department of Education (DepEd) for a multimedia awareness campaign on the implementation of Universal Kindergarten in all public schools nationwide starting June 2011.

Universal Kindergarten is the first phase of DepEd’s main reform agenda, “K to 12.” The program requires all public schools to give kindergarten education to five-year old students so that they are prepared to enter Grade One the following year.

Through a series of interviews, featured segments, and public service announcements on TV, radio, and online, ABS-CBN and DepEd hope to inform parents and children on the changes that are about to come in the public school curriculum.

Catch the details on how you can help in this new project by tuning in to ABS-CBN. 


To read more on my post regarding our charity event at Rodriguez, Rizal, click here:
http://chicandcheaps.blogspot.com/2010/04/experience-travel-and-giving-at-same.html

BANNISTER ACADEMY: Learning One-on-One

June is near and I know some parents are now scouting for schools and evaluating different institutions for their kids. The wise parent knows that preparation is the key to preventing the stress and hassle of a last-minute enrollment.

The choice of a grade or high school is critical since these institutions will have a lasting impact on the intellectual and personality development of your son and daughter. After all, aside from the home, most of their time will be spent in school, interacting with their teachers and classmates.

For those looking for a fresh alternative to education, Bannister Academy is the perfect school.






Bannister Academy offers personalized education through its unique system of mentoring. The school balances its dedication to academic excellence with an emphasis on social intelligence in students, allowing them to realize their full potential.

Bannister Academy was founded on the principle that a liberal education—which balances science, culture, and society—is the best way to prepare young minds for the relentless pace of the 21st century. Students learn to see the big picture without sacrificing depth. They practice creating relationships between specific areas of knowledge and solve problems in original ways. This approach empowers the Bannister student with the ability to deal with complexity, diversity, and change.



Bannister's high standards make it an attractive option for students with average and above-average skills. At Bannister, students are allowed to stand out, be confident, and acquire learning habits that last a lifetime. Students are taught "how to learn" so they can develop excellence in their own individual way without sacrificing quality. They become passionate about transcending their limits.

Bannister Academy integrates character education in all subjects and extra-curricular activities, making sure these values (maturity, freedom, and responsibility, and spirit of service) are consistent with the developmental stages of the child. A one-of-a-kind teacher-student mentoring program gives education a personal touch. Students aren't “instructed,” they are nurtured and guided. It's not Subject 101, it's Learning One-on-One.

Yes, we were told about it when we attended the Open House of Bannister Academy before summer started.  The ratio of student to teacher is 1 is to 1.  Yes, you read it right!





"We promise parents three things," Dr. Antonio Torralba, co-founder of Bannister Academy, "First, we focus on practical education.  We want students to become books-smart and street-smart. Second, through our mentoring program, we keep pace with the kids, and we can be as crazy and fun as they need us to be. Third, we encourage parents to be involved with their child’s education, to share the responsibility and help their child explore and develop their social intelligence."

 Give your child a head start!




Bannister Academy is located inside Circulo Verde subdivision, Calle Industria, Quezon City. Find out more by visiting http://bannister.edu.ph/ or call (+632)975-9625 or mobile (+63917)711-0100.

FASHION WATCH QUARTET 2011 Showcasing Philippines Top 20 Designers

April 2011 marks the the revival of Fashion Watch Quartet and  I got the chance to watch the the much-awaited series at Makati Shangri-La Hotel last April 28, 2011.


Fashion Watch Quartet continues to bring to the forefront fresh new talented designers through an exciting fashion event.


During the first week of the Fashion Watch 2011, Len Nepomuceno, a Filipino fashion designer who specializes in bridal gowns and evening wear currently the Vice-President of the prestigious Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP) was the first one to showcase her creations.



Len Nepomuceno, designer


Len is one of the few top designers that were commissioned to create fashions for the iconic Barbie doll to raise funds for a Ballet Philippines auction for the benefit of their scholars. Len’s collection for Fashion Watch is about the early start of spring, where colors are starting to change from heavy fall-winter to light and airy spring-summer. Her design inspiration is NEW BEGINNINGS with colors such as honeysuckle for lifting spirits, peony as a romantic attachment and silver clouds for quintessential classics.

 

Fashion Watch 2011 is a project of the CFDP (Council of Fashion Designers of the Philippines). It will run from April to November, 2011. Each week will feature the collection of two designers in back-to-back format, who will have his/her creations unveiled to all through a fashion show held at the lobby area of the prestigious Shangri-La Makati Hotel.  (Please see below for schedules.)



The series will feature 19 of the country’s most notable designers, each showcasing a brand new collection. Each designer is exclusive to Fashion Watch Quartet; you won’t see their collections on any other fashion show series. Every designer will showcase their Holiday collection early on in the year and a Spring/Summer collection towards the latter part of the year, much like fashion timetables abroad.

Fashion Watch Quartet will also stage special shows as several internationally known ASEAN designers will be flown in to display their creations to the Filipino public.
Besides an A-list roster of designers, models, and media partners The Philippine Star, Preview, StyleBible, and StarWorld, Fashion Watch Quartet boasts of industry greats working behind-the-scenes as well, including Patrick Rosas and team as the force behind hair and makeup, Grace Molina as Project Coordinator and Director and Manila’s Prince of Fashion himself, Inno Sotto as Creative Director .



As Fashion Watch Quartet makes its comeback, it continues to raise the bar for how today’s fashion show series should be.


Experience another season of unrestrained creativity with Fashion Watch 2011 featuring designs from celebrated Flipino designers.

Fashion Watch 2011 Schedules

Venue:  Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Lobby Lounge

May 5, Thursday 4 p.m.

Philip Rodriguez
Patrice Ramos Diaz

May 12, Thursday 4 p.m.

Lulu Tan-Gan
JC Buendia

May 26, Thursday 4 p.m.

Arcy Gayatin
Norman Noriega

June 2, Thursday 4 p.m.

OJ Hofer
Dennis Lustico

June 9, Thursday 4 p.m.

Alex Bitong
James Reyes

June 16, Thursday 4 p.m.

Ferdi Abuel
Jojie Lloren

June 23, Thursday 4 p.m.

Ivar Aseron
Joey Samson



Fashion Watch 2011 is presented by Olay, Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Philippine Star, Preview Magazine, Starworld and Stylebible.ph in cooperation with major sponsors BMW and Metro Pacific Investments.

FAST & FURIOUS 5: VIP Screening at SM Megamall

                United International Pictures in cooperation with SM Cinema held the special advance screening of “Fast & Furious 5” at SM Megamall Cinema 6 on April 28, 2011, at 7.30pm. It was attended by VIPs, the Press, theatre industry partners, brand partners and other special guests. The said premiere is a culmination of SM Cinema’s De Luxe Makeover Launch where guests were introduced to the newest innovation of SM Cinema. 

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker lead a reunion of returning all-stars from every chapter of the explosive franchise built on speed in Fast & Furious 5.  In this installment, former cop Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) partners with ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) on the opposite side of the law.  Dwayne Johnson joins returning favorites Jordana Brewster, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Matt Schulze, Tego Calderon and Don Omar for this ultimate high-stakes race.

Since Brian and Mia Toretto (Brewster) broke Dom out of custody, they’ve blown across many borders to elude authorities.  Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom.  As they assemble their elite team of top racers, the unlikely allies know their only shot of getting out for good means confronting the corrupt businessman who wants them dead.  But he’s not the only one on their tail.

Hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs (Johnson) never misses his target.  When he is assigned to track down Dom and Brian, he and his strike team launch an all-out assault to capture them.  But as his men tear through Brazil, Hobbs learns he can’t separate the good guys from the bad.  Now, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey…before someone else runs them down first.

Watch it best at the SM Cinemas and for a more convenient way of getting your tickets; experience the newest from SM Cinema – the CINEMOBILE: Your mobile, your movie ticket. Have your movie tickets delivered to your mobile phone only through www.smcinema.com. You can also join our Fast & Furious 5 online promo for a chance to win cool premium items. Just log on to our website and answer the movie question correctly.

                Opening May 4 at SM Cinemas and Imax Theater Mall of Asia, “Fast & Furious 5” is a United International Pictures release through Solar Entertainment.
            

SM North EDSA IMAX Theater Hosts THOR VIP Screening

I don't know what's with April as this month is really with filled must-see movies.  Add THOR in the list!

United International Pictures in cooperation with SM Cinema host the special advance screening of “THOR” at Imax Theater North Edsa on April 27, 2011, at 7.30pm. It is the first advance screening in the country who will be attended by VIPs and members of the press.

The epic adventure THOR spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the mystical realm of Asgard.  At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war.  As a result, Thor is banished to Earth where he is forced to live among humans.  When the most dangerous villain of his world sends its darkest forces to invade Earth, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero.

Watch it best at the SM Cinemas and for a more convenient way of getting your tickets; experience the newest from SM Cinema – the CINEMOBILE: Your mobile, your movie ticket. Have your movie tickets delivered to your mobile phone only through www.smcinema.com. You can also join our Thor online promo for a chance to win cool premium items. Just log on to our website and answer the movie question correctly.

  
THOR MIDNIGHT SCREENING
  
Watch THOR on the eve of April 29 in 3D at Imax Theater North Edsa and Cebu and SM Digital Theaters nationwide.
 Opening April 29 in full 3D at SM Digital Theaters nationwide and Imax Theaters North Edsa and Cebu, Thor is a United International Pictures released through Solar Entertainment.