Em Alcantara, Author at Touringkitty

14
Dec
2014

Caritas et amor in the noblest way

categories: Church Life, Music, Uncategorized

I have been wanting to write about this for weeks now, but I was not able to create the best title for this, until I found this:

Caritas et amor (Gregorian chorale) by Z. Randall Stroope (*1955)
Sung by the Philippine Madrigal Singers
Church of St. Matthias, Munich-Fürstenried, Germany, 2010.
Video credits: isispartners

And that’s what I experienced during my visit to two institutions last month: Elsie Gaches Village and Kinder Zoo (now known as Adventure Jungle).

Caritas

Christian love of humankind. Charity.

The Shrine of Jesus volunteers visited Elsie Gaches Village in Alabang, Muntinlupa as our outreach activity. As we arrived, we were briefed by one of the social workers there, as to what to expect. They only have a few social workers taking care of some 500 people, young and old, with physical disabilities and special conditions, specifically the mentally challenged. If I recall it right, the proportion is two social workers to one cottage with about 50 persons. That’s too much! A salute is not enough for their noble work.

We were ready. The patients trickled in, and so did the rain. We would have wanted to take a peek of the 16-hectare area donated to the government that used to be a summer villa of philanthropists Samuel Gaches and Elsie McCloskey. One of the volunteers cracked the ice by teaching the patients an action song, which I accompanied with the guitar my husband brought. We were asked to render some songs for them later in the morning.

Randomly, some volunteers would pull me out of a group to play guitar for the others. And they were all delighted to listen to the guitar! Some patients have amazing voices, like the girl who sang Journey popularized by Lea Salonga. Some requested songs and I tried my best to play them well. Mind you, I had to play everything without sheet music, and I did it! What power and love music can give.

One specific reminder that was mentioned to us is that these people appreciate being touched as a sign of love, because of the lack of it. High fives, handshakes, and hugs filled that rainy morning, and were generously given by the Shrine volunteers, and reciprocated by the patients.

We capped the visit with snacks and a simple gift-giving. Theirs are such appreciative and kind souls. We, for sure, are the strangers in their special and blessed world. And as we part, we can’t just help but wonder when they will feel that love again, and from whom. The social worker told us that since the holidays are coming in, a number of organizations wanted to pay the village a visit to do an outreach as well.

I can’t explain how I felt but I was just grateful to the Divine Master for this opportunity not only to do our apostolate to those in need, but also for the chance to do this with some of the nicest people I know — the Shrine volunteers and our Rector, Mons Bobby. They are all inspirations to us as we continue to do our ministry in the Shrine. Challenging days in the Shrine are always outshined by days like this.

It was also a great opportunity to meet the social workers and listen to their stories. They are the patients’ heroes. They are our heroes! No one can match the caritas they selflessly give.

Amor

Love. The greatest gift.

Love for animals. They say that animals are a man’s best friend. For zookeepers, this love is so pure.

I took my daughter to Adventure Jungle, found in nearby Manila Zoo, through the invitation of their PR officer, Grace Nicolas, a fellow mom blogger. We’ve been to Manila Zoo before, but this is another facility inside the zoo. And we saw new animals and Aria even got to ride the horse! Truly a highlight for my little champ.

There also, we met and talked with two people, Neng, who has been a zookeeper for more than a decade already. She explained to us that a zookeeper should be mindful of the animal’s feeding schedule, diet, and the like. She had studied these animals on her own, and she’s not even a veterinarian! It was just pure love dedicated to these animal friends.

We also met Mr. John Chua, brand ambassador for Canon Philippines, and a volunteer elephant keeper at the Manila Zoo. He frequents Manila Zoo and he loves Mali the elephant so much, that Mali follows his commands! The kids during the tour were able to feed Mali with some bananas, and Mr. Chua asked Mali to hug one of the media people who covered the event. And he is not paid for this.

If these animals could only talk, I am sure that they will profusely thank Ms. Neng and Mr. John, and their loving zookeepers.

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. God is defintely there, in these two places.

~ Touringkitty

09
Dec
2014

CCP Hands-on Choral Workshop 2014: Training ground of choral champions

categories: Art and Culture, Career, Choirs, Madz, Music, Uncategorized, Working Mama

Last October, I was fortunate to be part of the team of trainors for the CCP Hands-on Choral Workshop.

This annual workshop is held on the last week of October. — This annual workshop is held on the last week of October, done in partnership with the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Some present and alumni members of the Philippine Madrigal Singers were trainors for the five-day workshop. Marivic Llamas, Krystl Buesa, yours truly, Joel Aquino, Paolo Pardo, Bianca Lopez, Mark Carpio. — Giddy people early in the morning: some present and alumni members of the Philippine Madrigal Singers aka trainors. Marivic Llamas, Krystl Buesa, yours truly, Joel Aquino, Paolo Pardo, Bianca Lopez, Mark Carpio.

The workshop is now on its 12th season, and has attracted choral groups and conductors from all over the Philippines as well as other countries. This year, we had a choir from Kuala Lumpur participating in the workshop.

Mark Carpio conducting all participants of the choral workshop. They filled the entire stage! — Mark Carpio conducting all participants of the choral workshop. They filled the entire Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo stage!

This was not the first time for me to join as trainor, but everything seemed new to me this time around.

With the God's Heritage Chorale from Bulacan, the choir I handled back in 2006. Along with Sheen Sanchez, another Madz alumnus. — With the God’s Heritage Chorale from Bulacan, the choir I handled back in 2006. Along with Sheen Sanchez, another Madz alumnus. Photo credit: Churchill Garcia-Natoc.

This choir joined the workshop again this year, with some familiar faces and new ones who got to experience the Madz training through the workshop. I guess they find something good and new in each workshop that they’ve participated three times already!

Early this year, the Cultural Center of the Philippines called itself as a Center for Choral Performance, where major choral events are lined up in the Center until next year, the highlight being the second Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival in July 2015.

This year’s choral workshop was made even special because of several factors. Aside from the fact that it had been in hiatus for two years (there were no choral workshops held in 2012 and 2013 because of Madz trips abroad–incidentally, the years I worked for the Center), the workshop also featured a special Artist Talk by no less than Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, who created a new arrangement of one of his songs, premiered by the participating choral groups.

In Mr. C’s talk, he took the audience back to the days when fate had prepared the road for his musical journey, as a son of an opera singer who did not encourage him to take the same career his mother took, as a young UPIS student who was just tinkering on the piano, and as a teenager who would try out different careers–from winning a painting contest to applying as a disc jockey, and eventually getting the biggest gig that paved the way for his musical career. His story was unbelievable, humble, yet very inspiring.

The participants were fortunate to premiere a Mr. C work, Ikaw pa rin ang mahal ko, the theme song of Sa Ngalan ng Ina, originally sung by another OPM hero, Basil Valdez. Here’s a sampling from the Madz Facebook page:

Post by Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Choirs from various schools, communities, parishes, and companies joined the workshop. Individual conductors, or choirless conductors as they called themselves, who want to be better conductors learned through the sessions with Madz Choirmaster himself, Mark Carpio.

The choirs assigned to me were the MBPS Chorale of Manulife and Musica Chorus of Quiapo Church.

The trainors were assigned two choirs each, who each sang a song of their preference, and one song which came from the trainor and will be performed together. I chose What the World needs now is love, a really simple danceable arrangement of the Bacharach song with piano. As they’ve easily learned the piece, I also gave short pieces as some sort of exercise for them.

I was surprised to know that trainors will also conduct, as I cannot remember doing that during the previous workshop I was part of. I even confirmed this to Sir Mark, to my surprise and excitement. It was my first time to conduct on the CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo stage!

What. An. Experience. To conduct at the CCP Main Theater! With Musica Chorus and MBPS Chorale. MBPS' conductor, Ms. Orquias, assisted on piano. — What. An. Experience. To conduct at the CCP Main Theater! With Musica Chorus and MBPS Chorale. MBPS’ conductor, Ms. Oquias, assisted on piano.

Sir Mark handing over the certificate to me. It's as if I've graduated all over again! Thank you, thank you. — Ninong Mark handing over the certificate to me. It’s as if I’ve graduated all over again! Thank you, thank you.

The choral groups may have different backgrounds and reasons for participating, some of them have mentioned this during the opening ceremonies. But to me, they are definitely champions by just being a good solid group, thirsting for knowledge that will help improve themselves and their choirs as they sing for God and for their schools, churches, companies, and communities. They’ve worked hard for those five days, which seemed really short, but all did and went well.

For us, trainors, nothing is more gratifying than seeing the choirs take what you’ve taught them to heart. We’ve witnessed this during the culminating activity. And as we look back at the first day we met them, a lot of good had happened. We’re successful enough to shared a piece of the Madz way. And we hope we could share this to more choristers in the generations to come.

Huge thanks to the Madz family for the opportunity to work with these great choristers and for what seemed to be a reunion of sorts among us alumni especially during break times. Likewise to my former workmates at the CCP and the Artist Training Division for being a venue for these choirs to create more wonderful choral music.

*All photos, save for one, are from the CCP, as posted in their Artist Training Division Facebook Page. Follow them on Facebook and be updated with their upcoming projects.

~ Touringkitty

02
Dec
2014

Philippine Launch of P.S. From Aeropostale at UP Town Center

categories: Uncategorized

Last Saturday, November 22, was my first time to attend a Nuffnang event, and it had to be in faraway UP Town Center!

Ha, the UP Diliman grad from Pasay talked as if commuting there is something she did not do for about eight years or so. But it was worth the trip, despite the rain as my daugher and I worked our way home.

But why would I miss this event, when it had all these in one day: food, fab, and fun!

Event: Philippine Launch of P.S. from Aeropostale
Venue: UP Town Center Amphitheater
Time: 3-ish in the afternoon

Psfromaeroph 1 — This greeted us as we are about to enter. Skies slowly turning grey, and it went a heavy downpour later in the afternoon.

Photowall fun! Top: Disney Frozen T-shirt. Shorts: Terranova. Pardon the pink sparkly shoes; I was not able to bring another because I changed her clothes already!

Oh, yes, food. Bizu prepared some snacks and hors d’oeuvre and servers are just going all over to offer all sorts of snacks and sweets, to my daughter’s delight!

And for some fun, booths with games, activities, and a big do-it-yourself mural, were all around!

psfromaeroph 5 — Booths with food and games.

They were creating this mural on the spot! Live drawing happening.

Which the kids got to colour afterwards. Here's my little one doing her own thing. — Which the kids got to colour afterwards. Here’s my little one doing her own thing.

Another highlight was this: Kid DJs, D+Cash got us all alive and moving while waiting for the main event!

Booths with food and games. — I have cool nephews. Yup!

And here's my daughter dancing to her Kuya DJs' beats! — And here’s my daughter dancing to her Kuya DJs’ beats!

But, the main event, was this: fab, indeed!

It was my first time to ever watch a fashion show, and I am right in front of the action! Here is P.S. from Aeropostale’s line of functional clothes for children and teens with sizes 4-14. Now available in the Philippines!

CIMG0222 — The bibo kids who captured us from the beginning of the show!

Such a cool way to launch these cool clothes, right? Thank you, Nuffnang, for the invitation. Until the next!

PS from Aeropostale is available on the following Aeropostale stores: SM Megamall, Robinsons Manila Midtown Wing Central Square Bonifacio High Street and at the 2/F of UP Town Center.

~ Touringkitty

02
Dec
2014

Touringkittyps: Five ways to celebrate World Choral Day

categories: Art and Culture, Choirs, Touringkittyps, Uncategorized

Happy World Choral Day!

Music in indeed the universal language. And the Philippines is very blessed to have a musical culture, especially a choral-singing culture where there are just so many choral groups already–in the churches, in schools, in offices, both private and public, and in communities. Our choral groups are among the most known in the world. They share God’s gift of music to different parts of the world, participating in choral festivals and winning international competitions. Our choral directors are sought-after clinicians and adjudicators both locally and internationally. Even our own choral music is popular, and our composers are commissioned by other world-renowned choral groups to create new music for them.

And what better way to celebrate choral music than through this annual event called World Choral Day.

World Choral Day this year will be celebrated on December 7th.

The International Day of Choral Singing is an international choral event to extol the values of solidarity, peace and understanding. This is an initiative of respected conductor and composer, Alberto Grau from Venezuela, which started in 1990.

So, whether you are a chorister, a choral aficionado, or someone who likes music, here are five ways to celebrate this chorally wonderful day:

1. Pop in any choral music CD to start up your day. Or go to the internet and get to know a new choir through their video performances. Or hear Mass, and you’ll surely be blessed and delighted to hear church music sung, most probably by choirs.

2. Attend a choral concert. There is nothing like watching a live choral concert. You may check out Kumpas: The Philippine Choral Community Newsletter, a project of the Philippine Choral Directors Association for a rundown of upcoming concerts.

The PCDA will have its own World Choral Day celebration on December 7th in Cavite.

PCDA Celebrates World Choral Day! — PCDA celebrates World Choral Day!

3. If you a choral director or chorister and you will have a choral concert anytime this month, register your event as part of the World Choral Day. Visit http://www.worldchoralday.org/events/subscription and be part of the celebrations. Oh, and make sure to include Original Pilipino Music in your repertoire!

For the choral groups having a concert this month, please read the Proclamation written for the World Choral Day. This is always read during the choral concert. Ideally, the audience should have a copy so they could read along. The Proclamation has been translated to 14 languages, and aims to foster world peace and understanding through choral singing. Click this link for the Filipino and Cebuano translations which you can use for your concert. Other languages can be found here.

Here is the reading of the Proclamation in Filipino read three years ago as led by Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, in a Thousand-Voice Concert he spearheaded. The translation was written by PCDA Secretary Joy Nilo.

4. Support our local choral artists by booking a choral group for your next event purchasing original CDs, watching their concerts or sponsoring their fundraising projects, which helps a lot in bringing their music to more audiences.

If you’re a choral director, you should start building your own library of choral works. You can purchase choral compositions and arrangements of our Filipino composers/arrangers or commission them for new works.

5. If you haven’t yet, sing in a choir now! No less than Philippine Madrigal Singers Choirmaster Mark Carpio encourages us to do so in his TedXDiliman talk:

Do you have more ideas? Share with everyone in the comments section.

Don’t forget to like Touringkitty, Kumpas, and World Choral Day Philippines to be updated with the celebrations.

The Kumpas Page is powered by yours truly, Touringkitty. I am a member of the PCDA and a volunteer of the organization as Online Content Manager.

*Credits go to the Youtube video owners.

~ Touringkitty

02
Dec
2014

PRESS RELEASE: It takes GUTZ to be a Gutierrez in Paradizoo Theme Farm in Mendez, Cavite and Residence Inn Tagaytay (under the Zoomanity Group)

categories: Press Releases

It takes GUTZ to be a Gutierrez is a Channel E exclusive about the famous royal showbiz family in the Philippines. It’s a reality television series about the interesting and exciting life of the Gutierrezes headed by Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama.

On November 30, 2014 at 9PM, the show aired their experience when they went to Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite (Upper Tagaytay) and Residence Inn (Tagaytay proper), two of the famous theme parks under the Zoomanity Group, the leading theme park management in the Philippines under Robert Laurel Yupangco of Yupangco Group of Companies.

According to Leonardo Badon Jr. of Zoomanity Group, “Paradizoo Theme Farm was featured in “It takes GUTZ to be a Gutierrez”, the Best Reality Show at the concluded PMPC Star Awards ‘2014. A paradise in the south, Paradizoo Theme Farm is a farm for romantic people. a place for family, barkadas, friends and those who loves nature. The Gutierrez family went there to explore and experience a different farm lifestyle.”

The episode revolves when the family is having a photo shoot. The Gutz family gets prepped for a group photo shoot and when they check the pictures, they noticed that their mother Annabelle is gaining weight. So, Ruffa suggested that they should hire a personal trainer to help their mother lose weight by working out. Perspiration for inspiration to remove the fat, of course. In other words, with so many shots in between, they went to Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, not only to have a clean and fresh air but for Annabelle to have a chance to exercise in a different way, by walking on the farm.

Annabelle and Eddie bond with the grandkids. Richard with Sarah and Ruffa tried to milk the goats in the barn with the friendly and expert tour guide from Paradizoo. Super farm life only at Paradizoo.

One activity too in Paradizoo or more like an advocacy is to give education. During the tour, they learned about the process of making honey and what happens when the honey bees mate.

The handsome Richard and lovely Sarah got their time alone time together. They ride the cable car at Residence Inn, Tagaytay as they talk about planning their wedding and other future plans.

Paradizoo and Residence Inn are under the Zoomanity Group. Paradizoo is a 12 hectares farm while Residence Inn is a 2 hectare theme park with hotel inside overlooking the majestic Taal volcano.

30
Nov
2014

Citizen Services: One stop for your government document needs

categories: Family, Press Releases

Do you need to acquire a Birth or Marriage Certificate? How about a new or renewing your passport?

Worry no more, with Citizen Services, you could do this and so much more!

Citizen Services is your one-stop shop for all your government document requirements.

Since 2000, Pilipinas Teleserv has been providing dynamic services to Filipinos with cutting-edge customer management solutions and innovative business process outsourcing services. Primary of these solutions is Citizen Services, an integrated customer service solution that has changed the way people transact with government agencies.

Citizen Services is comprised of essential people-oriented solutions in partnership with the National Statistics Office, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the POEA, Civil Service Commission, BIR, DTI, PhilHealth, NCC, DOH, the Government Service Insurance System, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the DPWH over the last decade.

With Citizen Services you can:

Request birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and certificates of no marriage (CENOMAR) via hotline 737-1111 or website (www.citizenservices.com.ph) and these will be delivered right to your doorstep. That easy!

DFA Passport Appointment System: Efficient and fast. Really.

Set your DFA Passport Appointment via hotline 737-1000 or www.passport.com.ph, appear on the appointment date on your chosen DFA Office or Satellite Branches, and either pick up your passport or deliver to your home. My last visit to DFA to renew my passport took less than an hour.

And I said they can do more, right? So, here’s more:

Your requirements from the Securities and Exchange Commission now can be processed and delivered online at www.secexpress.ph or over the phone at 737-8888.

From September 2012 until March 2014, Pilipinas Teleserv managed the Philippine Government’s ambitious Contact Center ng Bayan project, a national helpdesk that utilizes citizen vigilance to keep government offices and agents accountable for their actions. Concerned citizens can lodge complaints and request for information via the hotline, SMS, and email.

Aside from these government services, they have a very informative website:

Which features blogs, tips, and tricks regarding your government-issued documents.

Congratulations to Pilipinas Teleserv for initiating this service in service of the Filipino family.

Have you experienced the services of Pilipinas Teleserv? Do share with us!

~ Touringkitty

27
Nov
2014

Touringkitty feature: Timelapse video of pregnancy

categories: Career, Parenting, Pregnancy Chronicles, Uncategorized

How did you document your pregnancy?

I swear I cannot remember something really religious to document those nine months. Photos? Maybe once in a while, but not every month.

Then I remembered, I started this blog the month before I gave birth, and have collected notes in a notebook which led to putting them online. So, the Touringkitty blog was officially born July 2010.

Recently, I saw a really cool video of a pregnancy documentation which I thought was cute, sweet, and was produced with lots of hard work and love.

Yes, a timelapse video for a pregnancy documentation! Looks like hard work, eh?

I got permission from the creators of this video, professional musicians Emanuele and Rechelle Frisardi, to post about this on the blog, and here’s a short Q&A with them:

Touringkitty (TK): Thank you for allowing me to share this! May we know what are your respective professions and where are you based?

Rechelle and Emanuele (RE): We are both violinists. Emanuele is a violin teacher in some music schools here in Germany and I’m a freelance violinist and do private teaching as well. We’re based in Saarbrücken, Germany. (Rechelle is a Filipina and we’ve known her because of her cousin who is our choir mat, while Emanuele is Italian but has

TK: Who conceptualised the video? How did you schedule your shoots?

RE: The main idea was Emanuele’s. He’s fond of making timelapse videos so when I told him I wanted a timelapse of my pregnancy, he thought about doing in episodes of what happens during the 9 months. We listed different possible scenes that we could do for the whole video, then during the takes, we improvised some more since we got more ideas. We shot mostly on weekend nights when we’re free and when we’re not tired. It’s actually a lot of work since every time we had to arrange our living room exactly the same as possible from the last video we took, like the position of the pillows, the curtains, the flowers, etc. And then there’s the actual shooting which takes for about 2 hours, depending how difficult the scene is. Since there’s just the 2 of us working on the film, Emanuele (or me) had to run in every shot to move the objects.

TK: It looks like a lot of work for us, but What equipment and software did you use?

RE: The equipments were very simple (amateur level). Emanuele used a Canon DSLR EOS 550D plus a tripod. The softwares were Timelapse Assembler and iMovie for Mac.

Pretty cool, right? They’ve assembled about 2,000 photos for this five minute video.

Got more unique ideas? Share how you documented or plan to document your own pregnancy.

~ Touringkitty

26
Nov
2014

Buqo’s 36 Days of Christmas

categories: Books, Press Releases, Promos

We’re counting down the days til Christmas, only a month to go, and here’s a gift for you, ready, get set, go!

Buqo, an e-book reader application, is giving away free e-books and magazines for 36 days starting November 26!

It's three times as fun as the 12 Days of Christmas! — It’s three times as fun as the 12 Days of Christmas!

I have been using buqo to read local magazines and e-books, some I’ve gotten for free in the past. Yes, they carry e-book versions of local publications and magazines through this app. I have recipe books and parenting magazines in just one go–in a tablet.

Here’s another chance, no, make that 36 chances to get 36 books each day, for free!

How to do it?

1. Download the buqo app on your tablet device. Whether you have iOS or Android, buqo works perfectly in both.

Buqo iOS (App Store): http://bit.ly/buqoapple

Buqo Android (Google Play): http://bit.ly/buqoandroid

2. Starting at 11:00AM of November 26, a free book or magazine can be downloaded through a special banner on the buqo app. Take note, you only have 24 hours to download the freebie of the day, so I suggest you set a schedule already.

3. Take first dibs on what’s in store at the beginning of each day by connecting with buqo’s social media accounts:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/buqoapp

Twitter: www.twitter.com/buqo

Instagram: www.instagram.com/buqoapp

Voila! a new e-book or magazine in your tablet!

How’s that for a Christmas gift? Remember to share this with your friends and family, and give the gift of reading something new everyday to them.

Let me know what you’ve downloaded so far by commenting below.

Visit www.buqo.ph to know more about the service.

~ Touringkitty

25
Nov
2014

Touringkittyps: 10 Gift Suggestions from The Mind Museum

categories: Education, Press Releases, Touringkittyps

Who says giving Christmas gifts are only for the young ones?

The Mind Museum gives us 10 gift suggestions this Yuletide season. You might think these gifts are only for science geeks, but with their wide array of museum activities and products from the Mind Museum Store, there’s definitely one for everyone.

1. The Scientific Date: How about a date in an artsy but science-themed gallery, or stargazing in cozy couches in a custom-made planetarium? Surprise your loved ones and the young ones with All Day Passes or gift certificates to The Mind Museum! With over 250 hands-on, minds-on exhibits and live experiment demonstrations that unveil the remarkable science behind living and non-living things, a date or two in The Mind Museum is definitely a unique and exciting way to spend time together this Yuletide season. (The Mind Museum tickets all day passes is sold for only Php750/php)

Back when we were dating, my husband and I love to visit museums, and now our daughter loves museum visits, too! Always a great date day for the three of us.

A visit in their outdoor park, Science in the Park during the middle of this year. Aria and Dad trying out the giant bubbles.

2. Name the Stars after Your Loved Ones: Do you know that you can literally leave your mark in The Mind Museum by naming one of their virtual exhibits? You can leave your names or your loved ones’ on digital exhibits found in the different galleries in the Museum, through a fixed donation that come with e-certificates. Imagine the delight of seeing your family’s name imprinted on the virtual stars that make up a constellation, or name a specific kind of dinosaur that inhabits a virtual era in history. What’s more heart-warming is that all proceeds for this program go to supporting the institutions’ project of giving free museum visits to public school kids. (Virtual exhibits’ price ranges from Php1,000 to Php5,000, depending on your choice of show. For more information, visit http://exhibits.themindmuseum.org.)

It might be interesting to have a star named after my daughter, Ariadne!

3. The Key to Endless Discovery: A year-round, all-day admission to the first world-class science museum in the country—how does that sound? Interactive exhibits, a thoughtfully designed planetarium, meticulously laid-out 3D shows, and exciting science demonstrations await your lucky gift recipient. The Mind Museum’s Unlimited Science Pass also gives free admission to over 300 worldwide science museums, discounts on travelling exhibition tickets, birthday packages, and purchases inside The Mind Museum Store. And because the institution always interlinks its efforts with expanding the knowledge of today’s generation, this unli-pass directly supports free museum passes for underprivileged kids. (For a group of four or more, avail the Unlimited Science Pass for only Php2,250/pax. Visit https://www.themindmuseum.org/science-alive/63/membership-program for more information)

4. All for Science, All for Love: To celebrate the holidays in a different, more meaningful way, why not sponsor a trip for public school kids this Christmas? You can even ask your family or friends to join you in spearheading this project to further enrich the sense of wonder of these young ones. Don’t worry, The Mind Museum’s doors are open to plan and accomplish this advocacy of embracing and sharing the true spirit of the season. (To inquire about this project, please send your email to inquiry@themindmuseum.org.)

Don’t forget to give! It’s nice to receive but definitely much nicer to give.

Want more? Here’s what’s in store at The Mind Museum Store.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines Arts Education Department (where I used to work) back in 2012 in one of our exposure trips. The Mind Museum Store behind us.

5. If these shirts could talk: Let your friends “wear their wit” with these design shirts that are exclusively available in The Mind Museum Store! These shirts come in different colors and are tastefully designed with vibrant graphics and statements that will truly make science a cool fashion statement of choice this holiday season. (Prices range from Php379.75 to Php499.75)

6. Of Puzzles, Papers, and Pencils: Instead of those tired old notebooks or planners, try giving the young ones (or even your family and friends) these funky Human Anatomy Notebook and Science Alphabet Notebook! They’re, indeed, a safe space for random thoughts, important lists, or mind babbles. Here’s a tip: pair these notebooks with Puzzle Color Pencils and let its colorful tips become their wand to create their DIY-diary. (Human Anatomy Notebook and Science Alphabet Notebook are sold for only Php379.75, while Puzzle Color Pencils set is sold for only Php649.75.)

Love scribbling? Get these cool notebooks to unleash the science geek in you.

7. Own the Universe: While these kids are taking baby steps towards their dreams, you can show them the momentary short-cut in seizing the universe, literally, through the Star Planetarium! Projecting 3D stars, planets, and constellations, this amazing contraption also includes 3D glasses for a more mesmerizing virtual representation of what’s above and beyond the world we’re living in. (The Star Planetarium set is sold for only Php2,579.75.)

My daughter has a fascination with all things in the sky, so this will be a great gift to her. Calling Ninongs and Ninangs!

8. Unearthing the Dinos: Be a paleontologist and travel back to the era of dinosaurs with the special edition of Dino Excavation Kit. Dig for the bones hidden in the gypsum block, assemble them and enjoy your very own miniature dinosaur skeleton replica. Top it off by learning more about the fossils you have just uncovered. (The entire Dino Excavation Kit is sold for Php2,699.75.)

We love playing treasure hunt at home, so this will be a good introduction to fossils and dinosaurs. So far, the big purple one only does the trick.

9. Tricks and Treats: Put a little ease and fun in teaching kids using playing cards that are exclusively sold at The Mind Museum store. You can either get What’s GNU?—a 3-letter learning game deck or go for a game of speed and visual tricks with Hyperswipe! Grab these cards now, be the learning and game master at the same time, and let the enlivening game itself, too, serve as an added gift to these kids! (What’s GNU deck costs Php9,49.75 while the Hyperswipe set costs Php1,349.75.)

Family day will surely be more fun with these board games.

10. Build Your Own, Learn on Your Own: Teach your young ones the basics of gardening, without having to worry about landscaping your backyard, with these innovative plant miniatures! You can either let them grow the Sweet Leaf, which grows leaves that be used as a natural substitute for sugar; the Mini-Melons that will actually produce sweet mini cantaloupes in less than 2 months; or get really out-of-this-word with the Curious George Outer Space Adventure Garden that will even allow them to experiment right in their mini pots! (Sweet leaf and Mini-melons cost Pho829.75 each while the Curious George Outer Space Adventure Garden is sold for Php1,229.75.)

Start small and green! Let kids enjoy plant miniatures right in your own home.

Whether you’re giving or you’re the one wishing, The Mind Museum caters to your needs. Happy shopping, and beat the holiday rush by doing it this early.

Visit The Mind Museum at the 3rd Avenue of Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Check their website for ticket prices and schedules.

~ Touringkitty

24
Nov
2014

Touringkitty’s Playlist: Three St. Cecilia pieces from three musical periods

categories: Music, Uncategorized

November 22 is the Feast Day of St. Cecilia, Patroness of Musicians!

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter discovered more about this saint, along with other Catholic homeschooled children in an All Saints Party of our support group called, ROCKERS (Roman Catholics Keeping Education Real).

Little saints! Two St. Elizabeths of Hungary, St. Cecilia, and St. Gianna all garbed up for the ROCKERS All Saints Party held last November 7.

More about the party in this post by CBCP.

This was supposedly our peg for the costume, unfortunately, Aria didn’t want the turban (it was a sunny day that day), and we didn’t have sackcloth. I made a “lute,” though, with a shoe box, tissue box, and rubber bands.

St. Cecilia as rendered by Guido Reni. Photo from Wikipedia.

St. Cecilia was known for “singing her heart to the Lord” during her wedding day, that’s why she was attributed as such.

And since it was her Feast Day, here are just three of so many music attributed to her, from three musical periods:

Baroque: Handel’s Ode for St. Cecilia
Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day (HWV 76) is a cantata composed by George Frideric Handel in 1739, his setting of the poem by the English poet John Dryden. The main theme of the text is the Pythagorean theory of harmonia mundi, that music was a central force in the Earth’s creation. The premiere was on 22 November 1739 at the Theatre in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London. (Wikipedia)

Romantic: Gounod’s St. Cecilia’s Mass
Composed in 1864, in memoriam of J. Zimmermann.

20th Century: Hymn to St. Cecilia
Hymn to St Cecilia, Op. 27 is a choral piece by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), a setting of a poem by W. H. Auden written between 1940 and 1942. Auden’s original title was “Three Songs for St. Cecilia’s Day”, and he later published the poem as “Anthem for St. Cecilia’s Day (for Benjamin Britten)”. Incidentally, Britten is born on St. Cecilia’s Feast Day, in 1913.

Add more to the list. Comment below.

Happy Feast Day, St. Cecilia! We pray that you will bless all musicians in the world.

~ Touringkitty

Author: Em Alcantara

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: