I have not yet posted our Preschool hunting last March. I have been remiss with homeschooling my daughter this month because of the super busy schedules. Blame the busy work-at-home/performing/teaching/blogging mommy me.
Result is: my daughter has been playing. A whole lot. But my friends say I should not worry. I just have to make her playtime educational and fun!
Anyway, I found out this online reading and math program which is a perfect fit for us. I am excited to try this out. Will update on our progress as we get the ball rolling.
Maybe you want to check it out as well, here’s how:
K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I’ve been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program. If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program.
The Madz et al, the first and largest network of Filipino choral groups, celebrated 30 years of singing together through a weeklong festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last April 1-6.
Composed of over 50 choirs, the Madz et al network gathers in an annual choral festival which gained a regular following with its varied themes per year. As part of the Philippine Madrigal Singers family, the choirs are also invited to guest in different projects and concerts of their mother choir.
The choirs, by themselves, are equally exceptional. Trained, mentored, and handled by members and alumni of the Madz, the Madz et al choirs have toured and won competitions both here and abroad.
Madz founder, Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion, considers this her “golden harvest.” With her ultimate goal of having a Singing Philippines, the Madz et al is a testimony that our country is indeed blessed with such riches in choral music.
Being a Madz alumna, I am blessed to handle my own choral group, the Shrine of Jesus Children’s Choir. As I trace back my choral conducting journey, I consider myself an accidental conductor.
Almost eight years back, I just want to serve again in the church, after being inactive because of school and Madz duties. Ton (my husband, who was then my boyfriend), had started serving for the church in the Reclamation area, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus. When I found out that there is no children’s choir at the church, I opened up the idea of forming one, so we both set an appointment with the Rector, Monsignor Bobby Canlas, and he welcomed the idea very much.
Mons Bobby assisted us in setting up the group, through announcements during the Mass, and he even assigned one of his staff to assist us during auditions. After which, we had literally a handful of members–ten of them, whom we started training to serve for the monthly children’s mass every Third Sunday of the month. Unfortunately, I was about to leave for the Madz tour then, so Ton took over the kids. And on June 2006, during Father’s Day, those ten kids had sung their first mass as a group.
Since then, the kids grew in numbers, and literally grew bigger than us! Currently, we maintain a regular membership of 30, composed of students aged 10-18, from nearby cities and municipalities. The members are still singing treble voices, but we are slowly on the works of transitioning to a youth choir with mixed voices, God-willing.
For this Madz et al performance, we were asked to commission a new piece for our choir. Then we chose two other pieces. Click on the titles for our video links below:
2. Alamat (Augusto Espino).We premiered this commissioned piece with poetry written by Ramon Devora and the magnificent music of Augusto Espino.
3. Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran (Francisco Santiago).With a couple of weeks left before the performance, I hurriedly wrote arrangement and did a little choreography for this Filipino favorite. I had a very willing volunteer who sang the solo.
Here are some snapshots during the concert night:
I have very supportive parents, and this is important to a children’s choir. Thy willingly assist the kids in putting makeup and fixing costumes.Ready for the show!On to their last number, we did it!Certificates were awarded to the conductors, all Madz alumni: Elsie Eranista of Letran Singing Ambassador, Me (with my daughter tagging along!), Robert Delgado of UMAK Chorale and NGCP Chorale, and Mavic Llamas of Coro San Sebastian. Mark Carpio of the Madz who served as the Festival Director also conducted Pansol Choir that night.The kids were so glad we finished another et al season! Here is one of the members, Hans Bariring, proudly showing off the certificate I received for them.One of our staunch supporters, Mons Bobby, who happily posed with us after the concert. Thank you, Mons, for supporting these kids as much as we do!My family, Mons Bobby, and two of our members, siblings Anna and Hans. They are Irish twins, meaning born less than 12 months apart.
We’re glad to be part of the 30th anniversary. We have consistently taken part in the et al festivals and other Madz et al projects since 2008. We are blessed with the many opportunities the Madz et al had brought about to our kids, like performances at the CCP Main Theater, and even TV guestings.
To our dear composers, AJ and Sir Agot, thank you for sharing with us God’s gift of music. To our ever dearest pianist, my good friend, Michelle Nicolasora, thank you for always being humble and available for me and my choir. To Ton, needless to say, thank you for being with me through all of this, and for assisting again in guitar.
I’d like to thank the Madz for this opportunity. Indeed the mission of Ma’am OA, through the Madz et al, is alive through all the choirs and future choirs that will be born out of love for singing.
I thank likewise Mons Bobby, for training me to be a leader, especially in the church ministry. Thank you for the constant guidance, support, and inspiration, especially when challenges arise.
To the parents of our members, a million thanks once again. We are happy that you have chosen the Shrine for your children’s church service. Thank you for believing and supporting our endeavors.
The SOJCC is rooted in church service, but as artists, we have the responsibility to also teach them to sing well so they could serve better. I am glad to be doing both things that I truly enjoy–serving the church through music making.
To the Madz et al choirs and conductors, congratulations! Here’s to 30 more years and maybe twice more the number of choirs that will be born and be minstrels of music around the world. Until the next performance.
Congratulations as well to the organizers, the Madz members themselves, for being at the forefront of this project. To Ate Pearl Reyes, coordinating all those choirs and conductors is one tough job, and you have done it well every year! To the members who served as stage managers, backstage persons, reception persons, and whathaveyou, kudos to all! To Sir Mark, for giving us challenging themes every year. This year, we really were made to THINK!
To my husband and daughter, for funding my blog (teehee) and for loving it as much as you love me. I love you both, too.
To the many groups I belong to–the performing world, choral world, teaching world, mommy world, breastfeeding world, homeschooling world, church world, WAHMing world, mommy blogging world, for being sources of my blog stories.
And to my ultimate source of all this, Touringkitty, my beloved magic wand, for being the beginning of my journey. If not for our travels in the past I would not have had a Touringkitty.
So, enjoy reading! Like my Facebook Page to be updated with more things happy!
A Happiest Easter to everyone! Like what our dear Rector always says, the glory of Easter Sunday must pass through the sufferings of Good Friday.
How did your Holy Week and Paschal Triduum go? Mine was busy as usual at church, the Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. For the longest time, I have never been on Holy Week vacation. But I’d rather have it that way. It’s such a fulfilling feeling for my husband and I to serve. Always, Christmas and Easter seasons are the busiest for church musicians, don’t you agree?
Thursday we had the Washing of the Feet and reenactment of the Last Supper. Chosen Apostle Actors took part in the Washing of the Feet. It has always been a challenge for our rector to find apostle actors, and he tells us that he really prays for whoever is chosen. My husband had his turn as apostle actor seven years ago, when we were on our second year serving the Shrine.
Friday, we participated in the Via Crucis for Good Weather organized by Radio Veritas, and participated by the Vicariate of Sta. Clara de Montefalco. The walk took us from San Juan de Dios Hospital to Manila Cathedral, all seven kilometers of it, from dawn to midday. It was tiring and hot but we did not feel it because we were walking with so many people and to trace the way of Jesus to his death and resurrection was both heartbreaking and heartwarming.
We got to Manila Cathedral around 9:00AM. We started the walk at 5AM, and the Shrine of Jesus contingent were stationed at the Second Station, just after Midas Hotel.
In the same afternoon, we had the Veneration of the Cross, followed by the Daang Krus sa Kalye, where the Apostle Actors and our priests led by our Rector, Monsignor Bobby Canlas, carried a cross from one station to another. My husband was the assigned guitarist during the Way of the Cross. It was a challenge for all of us in the music ministry cos we had to walk and sing through a throng of people.
Saturday was the Easter Vigil Mass in the evening. The Shrine of Jesus’ Easter Vigil Mass is known for its Resurrection effect productions every year. We even has laser shows in the past couple of years. Mons Bobby makes sure that each Easter Vigil Mass is solemn, unique and special.
Yesterday, Easter Sunday, we had a children’s Mass followed by Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. Then a concelebrated Mass was held, usually celebrated by a bishop. This time it’s Bishop Ted Bacani. Masses with Bishop Bacani are truly memorable. Mons Bobby asked for a special blessing from the bishop for the massgoers on wheelchairs. Some of them we regularly see in our masses. They were also given an image of the Our Lady of Lourdes, the patron of the sick.
I thank the Lord for sustaining all of us with good health during the Holy Week. The Shrine of Jesus Rectors Council and volunteers are some amazing people I have met. They come from different places and backgrounds, yet we come together as one in serving at the church the Lord entrusted to us. In this Year of the Laity, I am ever reminded of our role in the church, to be an active part of it. Not only through service but by through example.
Celebrating the Holy Week always brings forth a lesson and a blessing to me. For this year, it was another opportunity to assess what God calls me to do, and to always listen to Him. It does not pay off well when I don’t pray for something and just go with the flow. I am reminded to discern well the choices I am making. And to always keep things real.
As a mom of a preschooler, my question these days is this: “Where do I send my daughter to school?”
Last month, I and another mom-blogger, Irene, through Mommy Bloggers Philippines were privileged to be invited to take a look at a Catholic International School at BGC. Two words struck me: Catholic and International. It was the first time I have heard of a school offering both criteria I was looking for, so it instantly piqued my curiosity.
I first heard of Everest Academy Manila from another Philippine Madrigal Singers alumna, who teaches in the school. During my visit to Everest, I even saw her in action, teaching a small class of all-boys who are in fourth grade.
You read it right, all boys. At Everest Academy, they separate genders starting fourth grade. From their website, “Research has proven that brain development differs between boys and girls which becomes significant when they are between 9 and 12 years old. Everest offers gender specific education in a co-ed campus starting in fourth grade.”
We were welcomed by their Communications and Administration Manager, Corinne Medrana. Her name rang a bell, and I later found out she was one of the founding members of LATCH.
Betty Rivera, the Executive Director of Everest Academy, explained to us how the school molds its students into becoming Christian leaders. She also elaborated on Integral Formation, the school’s most important “asset.” It is a registered trademark, which has four pillars — intellectual, human, spiritual, and apostolic development. Likewise, she stressed that the students’ parents and families are their “partners” in teaching, that’s why Everest encourages the active involvement of families in school activities and events.
Betty added that Everest has a sister school in Taguig, Mano Amiga, where Everest students interact with the less fortunate students of the school through outreach activities and regularly visiting and playing with them.
We also got to tour around Everest. Here are some snaps I got from the tour:
We first chanced upon the fifth grade female students in their Physical Education class.While the fifth grade boys have their computer class.They have a well-lit library and a reading corner–on the floor!
After the tour, their principal, Mr. Rosano Landar, talked about the school’s curriculum. Mr. Landar is my husband’s friend and kababayan from Iloilo, that’s why my husband was glad to know that I got a chance to tour Everest.
Parents nowadays are very much concerned about the teaching method the school is using. Mr. Landar mentioned that the main element of teaching in Everest is Integral Formation, which combines Progressive and Traditional methods. How progressive are they? I saw students in middle school history class holding iPads and laptops. Yes, they are allowed to use them for educational purposes. And with the very small class size that they maintain (maximum of 25 students per class), the teachers can focus both on individual and group instruction. Everest emphasizes this, because they want their students to get to know each other, not only classmates of one year level, but across all levels.
Indeed, it was a homey feel when we visited Everest. The administration knows their students by name, and converses with them like they were their own children. They invited one of their students, Santi Puno, who gave us a firsthand glimpse of how it is to be an Everest student. I found a Youtube video of Santi, also talking about his Everest experiences so far, which was taken last year. He was a well-mannered, eloquent young man, who we all think would have a good future in politics (his grandfather is former mediaman and lawyer, Dong Puno).
If you’re wondering how “International” the students are in Everest, the majority come from purely Filipino families. A small percentage are from foreign families. Also, since it is an international school Everest is using a curriculum designed and licensed by the National Consultants for Education which is based in Atlanta, Georgia. They have local DepEd accreditation for the elementary level and is accredited by AdvancEd.
Everest Academy belongs to a network of more than 200 international schools all over the world under the Regnum Christi Movement and the Legionaries of Christ. With their competent teachers and peaceful and happy learning environment, students nurture positive studying habits and create fun memories with their peers. Santi was asked to describe in one word how it feels to be in Everest, and he said with full smiles: it feels like “home.”
~ Touringkitty
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This school year 2014-2015, Everest is opening its doors to incoming Kindergarten and Grade 9 students. They shall expand up to twelfth grade as each school year passes. For more information, visit their website, follow them on Facebook and Youtube.
Stuck on telling stories to your little ones? Not anymore with these cool books!
We discovered the Stuck on Stories by accident at the Relay shop at Changi Airport on our way home. I was gathering all my loose change in order to dispose them (read: last minute “syeping!”).
It was literally last minute, as we were about to board when we got to the gate. I saw these board books and settled on the Dora the Explorer book.
Stuck on Stories have 10 suction cup characters and a story board book inside. What you do is stick the suction cup characters along the story. It’s as if you are telling the story yourself!
From the Phidal website.
I am not quite familiar with the other characters. All I know is Dora, Boots, and Swiper. So, I interchanged Tico and Isa, hahaha! Good thing Aria was quick to correct me.
Back in Manila, Aria got interested in Disney Princesses. So, we scoured book stores to find one, and had it reserved even!
Disney Princesses getting stuck! Photo from the Phidal Website.
We got to meet the Princesses’ furry friends as we read along the story. Aria got to familiarise herself with the characters and their own stories.
And of course, the resident Kitty did not miss researching on this.
Wish list! Photo from Phidal Website.
This is not yet available in the Philippines, but Toys R Us abroad has this already. Can’t wait for it to come here.
The suction cups we have used in other ways, like counting, as seen in my Instagram (follow me @touringkitty).
Phidal carries a wide variety of children’s books which aid them in learning and having fun at the same time. Since 1979, the company has been developing safe, innovative, and creative products that spark the imagination of children and children at heart.
Disclaimer: all products are purchased by me. I am, in no way, connected to the company, and did my own research about the products cos they’re just so cute and collectible!
UPDATE: The event is rescheduled to May 18 from April 13. See details on their website.
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You would definitely join a fun run for any good cause, but would you run for Breastfeeding?
The recent calamities that struck our country underscored the importance of breastfeeding, especially in times of emergency. Lactation support groups made their way to far flung areas where breastfeeding and child feeding support are much needed. Milk donations poured out, even wet nurses came to aid.
Breastfeeding is best for babies. Even best for their parents and families. It’s most accessible, practical, economical, and greatly beneficial. Personally, I advocate extended breastfeeding, meaning beyond two years. I still breastfeed my 3 and a half year old daughter because we both know it is still best. We complement with nutritious food, of course. I cannot enumerate the many wonderful benefits breastfeeding has given my family.
Spring has sprung, but for us here in sunny Manila, summer is kicking in. Looking for something worthwhile to do?
Join the Nurture Run on April 13 May 18, 2014, Sunday, 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM at the Quezon Memorial Circle Cultural Center of the Philippines. This upcoming event is led by a Beauty, Brains, and Breastfeeding (BBB), a nonprofit and lactation consulting organization committed to promote, support and protect the rights of the breastfeeding mother and her child.*
Updated poster.
BBB has the UNICEF, the International Labor Organization (ILO), as well as local government agencies, as its staunch partners in implementing its goals.
The event was introduced to online media through a press launch a couple of months ago at Recess by Chef Chris.
Iza Abeja, Executive Director of BBB, talking about the real situation of recent disaster-stricken areas. Patricia Hizon hosted the event.
BBB’s partnership with international and local agencies strengthens them to fulfill their main mission, which is to uphold breastfeeding in emergencies and in the workplace. Still, new mothers are not aware that it is their right to breastfeed even when working.
Other speakers included Henry Mdebwe of the UNICEF and Kate Demetrio of the National Nutrition Council. Mr. Mdebwe discussed the benefits of and the global policy on breastfeeding. Kate, on the other hand, gave us a picture on how formula feeding is an added risk during emergencies.
Media partners and bloggers were invited to this event. I got invited through Mommy Bloggers Philippines, a very supportive online community of mom bloggers.
Seven of the 300 members of Mommy Bloggers Philippines! What an overwhelming online community of mothers!
Watch out our blogs for more about breastfeeding! Check out my own posts here.
Act fast and join the Nurture Run! Race kits cost P450 which contains the race bib and a shirt. Get your race kits here. Not only will you run and be fit this summer, you will also help increase awareness in this really natural act of breastfeeding. This summer, #LetsBeReal.
Before the First Week of Lent ends, allow me to share a few words of reflections.
The Gospel passage last Sunday was about the Big T: Temptation.
When God created the world, he did not expect it to be flawless. Remember the Scripture only said that it was good, He did not mention that it had to be perfect. God wanted balance, that’s why He gave man freewill to do things. Exactly what Adam and Eve displayed with the forbidden fruit.
They were tempted. And they gave in.
Giving in. Yes, temptation is everywhere, BUT we can choose NOT to give in.
It is probably still the hardest thing yet to achieve, even ice creams are named Temptations!
Someone even argues why we should NOT resist temptation. E. H. Chapin says:
“The trouble with resisting temptation is that you may not get another chance.”
Giving into temptation, I believe, is far off from taking chances. I think that if we pray for it, we would better discern the two, and we can make a really good choice between the two.
Clearly, the Big T for me is the cause of the Big C: Cancer. Cancer in society that is rooted by GIVING IN TO temptation.
Check out the collective of Singapore travel posts at this link.
Date: September 28
Location: Singapore
So, the night before we have sent off the family back to Manila. Now, we’re three!
We had our final breakfast for the trip at Kopitiam.
Days after the trip, Aria repeatedly said upon waking up that she will have breakfast at Kopitiam. Talk about hangover!
Then we hit the MRT, without stroller this time. I dared bear the little girl in the sling all day long! Love my Next9 sling!
I will miss our bus stop, Bras Basah!
MRT selfie!
First stop: Raffles Hotel!
My hubby and his signature pose. All. The. Time.
We passed by the Civilian War Memorial Park and saw this! Yes, our favorite bread is originally from Singapore!
Gardenia FTW!
Then we went to Esplanade, the famed arts hub of Singapore.
It took a while for my husband to realize it was Durian-shaped. Durian is a local fruit and is also found in the Philippines.
We saw this exhibit inside.
We immediately saw this as we are exiting from the train station. Quite a long walk going here.
We also saw a familiar word in a postcard.
And a familiar name too, our Ninong Jojo Velasco of the Ateneo Chamber Singers! He guest conducted the SYC Ensemble Singers last December.
We went back to Ion Orchard for lunch. We settled in this place.
Who would have thought? It’s their high-class food court! And was filled to the brim on a Saturday!
Then we went back to the hotel to check out and pick up our luggage. Off we go the airport!
Leftover coins went to a couple of TWG macarons with a Filipina at the counter speaking to us in Filipino. Kinda freaked me out (because I was expecting everyone to speak English!), but she was nice.Lessons while in mid-air, with Eebee’s first and only photo of the entire trip! He/She/It was her nighttime buddy to avoid homesickness.
When we got home, Aria immediately unpacked her new kitchen set which was a gift from my cousin Mark. She did not wait for the next day to check out her new toy.
It was indeed a fun trip for all of us, especially that this was the first family trip out of the country. We learned so much about Singapore’s culture in those four days. Such a fast-paced country with super efficient public transport system, lots of buildings, lots of things to do and see, and lots of yummy food.
And we are all happy that Aria was really really happy during this trip. Even if we had crying bouts during sleeptime (homesickness, small room and bed), she had the best time cos she still remembers everything up to now, even if she doesn’t see photos and videos of it anymore (imagine she watched the videos for weeks after the trip, even several times a day until she got tired of it!). She calls each Ferris wheel here Singapore flyer, to the amazement of taxi drivers.
Huge thanks go to our cousin and his wife for taking time to meet us and tour us around! Lastly, we thank the Lord for covering us under His protection for the duration of the trip and always. That no one got sick or harmed. Thank You for the opportunity!
And that this happened during my 30th birthday, it was such an amazing experience. All praises for the gift of life, love, and happiness!
Will we go back? Definitely! We’d definitely plan another family trip in two years perhaps, something we’d all enjoy. Any suggestions where?
