This is definitely one seminar I’d want my Yaya to attend to. Unfortunately, I don’t have one for my kid right now.
Do you? Your Yaya should!
SESSION 2: New Born, Infant and Toddler Care
Aug. 8, 2015 (Saturday); 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Venue: Mothercare Podium
Topics to be discussed:
Understanding and Care of:
• Newborn (0 ‐3 months)
• Infant (3 ‐12 months)
• Toddler (1- 3 years)
• Open Forum
SESSION 4: Money Management
June 20, 2015 (Saturday); 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Sept. 19, 2015 (Saturday); 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Venue: Mothercare Podium
Topics to be discussed:
A. Introduction
– About me
B. Personal Finance Mindset
– Everyone can be rich – the abundance mindset
– You don’t need to be intelligent and be good in math to be rich
C. The Habit of Saving
– Paying yourself first
– How to create a simple budget plan
D. Protection
– The concept of emergency funds
– The role of a bank savings account in your finances
E. Money and Relationships
– Rules to sending money to your family
– How to openly talk with your employer about money
About the Instructor:
Cristina M. Mendoza, RN from VentureLab Business Resource Center, Inc. for Sessions 1-3
Tina graduated BS Nursing (’10) from Southville International School and College. She passed the Nursing Licensure Exam on July 2010. She worked as a School Nurse and Preschool Teacher in The Bridge School from 2010-2012, but is still an on call Preschool Teacher in The Bridge School. She is a full time Yaya Seminar Facilitator of VentureLab Business Resource Center, Inc.
Fitz Gerard Villafuerte, RFP from ReadytoBeRich.com for Session 4
Fitz Gerard Villafuerte is a Registered Financial Planner and a book author. He is a civil engineer who decided to quit the corporate world in 2003 to pursue entrepreneurship. In 2014, he became a registered financial planner.
His blog, entitled, Ready To Be Rich, has already received several recognitions including the Best Business and Finance Blog at the Philippine Blog Awards for two years in a row. Moreover, an international finance publication, Wise Bread, has likewise ranked his website as among the Top 100 Personal Finance blogs in the world. Fitz has also been recognized by Moneysense Magazine as among the top 12 most influential people in Personal Finance in the Philippines.
Link to sign up here. Don’t forget to include the REFERRAL CODE: TKEABYT1.
Flash mobs are always an instant hit with people. And this is one mob our family would definitely support.
Two years ago, my family participated in the first ever breastfeeding mob organised by Breastfeeding Pinays, an online support group of families who truly support breastfeeding. The mob was supposed to be held outdoors, at the Rajah Sulayman Park. Unfortunately, that day was a heavy downpour of rain. Aristocrat Restaurant came into the rescue, and gave a venue to a roomful of participants, mostly with babies to toddlers. We brought our own toddler, about to turn three years old at this time, who is still breastfeeding.
My husband wrote our experience during that very first breastfeeding mob here.
My daughter is turning five in August. She still breastfeeds, occasionally. I even thought she’d wean already as I was out of the country for two weeks last June. But then, she told me that she missed me, therefore she missed breastfeeding, too. There, she’s back at it, most often during sleepytime.
I never regretted any second spent on breastfeeding her, mainly because of the following reasons:
Economical. I don’t even want to compute IF we chose to give formula at any point in her five years. Sure, I’d give some fresh milk every now and then (or soy or hemp or whatever milk that’s NOT in powder form) but for the past year I rarely give her any milk. She eats more, and she eats everything, hardly gets sick, and is very healthy. Speaking of healthy…
Healthy baby, healthy mommy. Breastmilk gives both medical and health benefits for mom and baby. Baby gets her first immunization on the onset of breastfeeding as a newborn because of that very healthy colostrum. Mother, meanwhile, gets protection against certain cancer types, and exchanges immunity with baby. I’ve proven this because we rarely get sick, or we recover from sickness faster. The longer baby breastfeeds, the longer benefits for both mother and child. And I’d say, the father, too, who gets to sleep longer and therefore healthier.
Creating a healthier, wiser future generation. This perhaps is the most important to me right now. That’s why more work has to be done by breastfeeding advocates and support groups to be able to accomplish this. And this is one of my reasons why I trained to be a breastfeeding counselor–to pay forward the past five years of investing my time in breastfeeding my daughter (and the lifetime of benefits this will surely bring to our family).
Handa ka na ba humakab? (Are you ready to latch?)
This year, the global Big Latch On, locally known as Hakab Na!, will happen on August 1. The even aims to do a simultaneous latching all over the world, to emphasize that a world who breastfeeds is a healthier and stronger world. Here in our country, multiple locations are holding similar events, I will be attending the one in Pasig City.
Whether you breastfeed or not, we call on your support. Visit www.hakabna.com to join.
Welcome to another edition of #KoristaAko! This is a special edition, because we have a real star from a different side of the music spectrum–rock music. Yes, friends, you’ve read it right. No less than Mcoy Fundales of the Pinoy Ako/PBB/Orange and Lemons/Kenyo fame started as a korista. And just recently, he revisited his choral singing experience on a European concert tour.
Musikerong Daddy ng PBB. Photo: www.pep.ph
In Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition, he was known as “Musikerong Daddy” who hails from Bulacan. His former band, Orange and Lemons, were behind the success of Pinoy Ako, PBB’s theme song. I got the chance to really get to know Kuya Mcoy during our rehearsals and our trip for the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc., where we were both invited to sing and tour Europe with last June. I got to know how really talented he is (he doesn’t read notes, but has a very good ear in music). He’s singing tenor. The fact that we were only ten, and they were only two tenors in the group, is testament to how he did well as chorister. Not only that, we encountered a funny, positive, and very humble rockstar dad especially during the trip. He doesn’t look like he has a college graduate for a daughter already (yes, he has, and he looks and is very young, in fact). It was a blessing to know him personally.
In one of our performances, Vienna, Austria.
He graciously agreed to appear in this month’s #KoristaAko, and here’s what he had to share:
Name: Marco “Mcoy” Fundales
Current profession: School owner/president (Young Achievers Montessori School), Vocalist/songwriter KENYO (formerly known as Orange and Lemons), TV and movie writer (he’s part of the Creative Team of Pepito Manaloto on GMA7).
Choirs joined (and years if possible): Mariano Ponce High School Choir and San Agustin Parish Choir (both in Baliwag, 1992-1994).
Why did you join the choir? What was that something or someone that influenced you? : I’ve always been fascinated with the marriage of voices, choir music takes me to another level of consciousness every time I listen to it. I’ve often wondered what it takes to form a group and what happens behind the scenes in order to create harmony among members (literally and relationship wise)
What is your favourite song arranged or composed for choir and why?: Ato del Rosario’s take and arrangement on the traditional Pasyon Senakulo. It’s so pretty, you’d want to sing it throughout the year if possible. We brought this work to Europe, and is one of my favourites, too. –> see a portion of the work here
What was the hardest piece you’ve studied? ANAK (Robert Delgado’s) –> this one we studied for the trip, and it was indeed hard!
Any choir/s or vocal ensembles you look up to and why?: Philippine Madrigal Singers! They are always a treat and an experience to listen to! I’m also a fan of The Company. The members are even great people off stage. Great friends. They took OPM to a higher level because of their work.
What is your most unforgettable choral moment?: To sing with a choir in a European cultural mission/tour after almost 2 decades of hiatus from choral singing.
#KoristaAko dahil: Dito ako nagsimula bago ako pinalad sa larangan ng pagbabanda. Hindi mawawala ang pagmamahal ko sa musika ng isang koro tulad ng pagmamahal ko sa iba pang anyo at sining ng musika. Thank you for your wonderful answers, Kuya Mcoy! And thank you for inspiring us to sing in a choir, too.
With the rockstar and certified korista, Mcoy Fundales!
To end, here’s our performance of his hit song, Pinoy Ako. So now you probably know why and how starstruck I am during this trip. No less than its singer performing his own song with you, in a choir. Such a rare privilege!
#KoristaAko is powered by Touringkitty. Tune in for the latest post every last Wednesday of the month. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.
Oh yes, my little bunny will not want to miss this.
I don’t know why, but just lately, my daughter got back her fascination to Hi-5. New cast, new songs to memorise, new stories to listen to. Someone is in super fan mode yet again!
We first watched in 2012, with the previous cast whom she loved. She was just two years old back then, and I got us great seats in front. So as I saw this in my email, I immediately looked at ticket prices. I was surprised, though, they’re twice the price already from three years ago! Will have to see if we could watch. But if you’re interested, here’s first dibs on information about the upcoming show this December.
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Hi-5 House of Dreams
The sun is setting and it’s time for the big Hi-5 sleepover party! With the help of Chats, the “Dream Meister”, and her magical Dream Catcher, your Hi-5 friends journey on some wild, wonderful and wacky dream adventures!
In Hi-5 House of Dreams, Ainsley, Dayen, Mary, Stevie and Tanika enter the world of dreams, finding themselves in the jungle, fairy gardens, outer space, underwater and even in the super cool world of superheroes! Each dream comes to life on stage in a burst of music, singing and dancing in this exciting new stage production.
Hi-5 House of Dreams is a whimsical trip into a fantasy adventure where you can catch your favorite Hi-5 songs- Underwater Discovery, Move Your Body, It’s a Party and Living in a Rainbow and plenty of new songs with the Hi-5 gang!
Venue
Newport Performing Arts Theater
Resorts World Manila
Show Schedule: December 18-22, 2015
Dec. 18 (Fri) – 2:30PM, 6PM Dec. 19 (Sat) – 11AM, 2:30PM, 6PM Dec. 20 (Sun) – 11AM, 2:30PM, 6PM Dec. 21 (Mon) – 2:30PM, 6PM Dec. 22 (Tue) – 11AM, 2:30PM Regular Ticket Prices
VIP 1 – P 4,500
VIP 2 – P 3,800
Gold – P 3,200
Silver – P 2,700
Bronze – P 2,400
Exclusive pre-sale for HSBC Credit and Debit Cardholders.
SAVE 10% on Hi-5 House of Dreams tickets.
from JULY 20 to AUGUST 20, 2015
Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit No. 0296, Series of 2015
BOOK NOW AND GET THE BEST SEATS AVAILABLE
For ticket orders, call Vivre Fort Entertainment at:
(02) 668-9535 or 09985129670
Tickets also available at:
www.ticketworld.com.ph/ 891-9999
Europe is known to have very beautiful churches. Those old (think Renaissance and Baroque), elaborately decorated, pipe-organ adorned, huge-domed churches. For the past Europe trip, one thing I made sure was to pray in a church in each city we’ll visit. I was happy to accomplish this, and more.
Hidden in tall greens, we found this n the middle of Karmelitska.
We got lost on our way, but was guided by some signages of shops bearing souvenirs of the Infant Jesus of Prague, and that Infant Jesus image on top. Sto. Nino, or the Infant Jesus, is very close to Filipinos. I can’t really remember if I was able to pass by this church the first time I was here in 2006, but I made sure to visit it this time.
Its name in Czech.
The Solemnity of the Sto. Nino is one of the most important feasts in our church community. Since it also coincides with the Children’s Mass, a special concelebrated Mass is always prepared, complete with drummers and dancers, reenactment of how the Sto. Nino came to our country, and some pakulo for the churchgoers after the Mass. And that our church is dedicated to the youth, I prayed even more for His blessing to our priests, volunteers, especially to our young volunteers (my own child included).
Lifted up all the children of the world to the Infant Jesus of Prague.
2. Katholische Kirche Salvator am Wienerfeld (Wienerfeldgasse 11, 1100 Wien, Austria)
Wasn’t able to take photos, but this is where we had our second performance for the trip.
It was a Sunday and our performance came after an English Mass for the Filipino community. The church was made of wood, you wouldn’t even notice it being a church at first.
As soon as I started my first note after we positioned, I knew it will be a great performance. Indeed, it was, that I immediately found a place to kneel and pray and thank the Lord for that wonderful performance of the Pasyon. The acoustics are so beautiful, it’s like the sound is instantly mixed.
Vienna is definitely one of the cities I’d like to visit again and again. A trip to Vienna isn’t complete without visiting one of its busiest tourist centers, Stephansplatz, where St. Stephen’s Cathedral can be found. It has an active calendar of performances and concert masses, and my co-performers were able to catch one on the Sunday night we were there.
Here I am praying by the image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Taken by my friend and co-performer, Ate Cherry.
The instant day trip to Bratislava from Vienna (which was less than an hour away) took us to its tourist center. I saw this by the plaza, and found out it’s a Roman Catholic Church.
Church of the Merciful Brothers.
There was a Mass going on, and as I entered, it was the Consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ. Just stayed for a few moments, knelt where I was standing, and prayed.
After 30 minutes or so of searching the internet, I finally found what the name of the church was!
The Basilica at night. Her gold shines bright. Chiesa d’Oro.
I was lucky enough to visit this church in both day and night times during this trip. During the daytime visit, we went inside the church, and there was a queue going in, which moved quickly. Made sure to offer prayers and candles, and buy some souvenirs for family and friends. No photos are allowed inside the church, so we took as much outside.
This was one! Jumpshot in Italy this time. With co-performers Leo and Jhom.
I wasn’t able to take a good photo of the church’s facade, so here’s the altar instead.
And yes, a Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help (on a Thursday night). Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Hour was also held, just before a (very short) Italian Mass and then our concert followed.
Since this was the last official tour stop, I offered again candles and lots of prayers.
Again, in an image of our Mother and Her Child.
Take note that candles would cost about at least 0.50 Euros, or about 25 Philippine Pesos.
7. Propsteikirche St. Johann (Hohe Str. 2, 28195 Bremen, Germany)
St. Johann’s facade.
We weren’t able to chance upon a Mass because the English Mass happens only every two Sundays. Took a quick visit inside and look what’s the last thing I’d see:
A Saint Anthony! And those two candles on the left top portion were offered for my family and friends and their intentions.
Either I missed my husband, or my husband just assures me they’re doing great back home.
Seven churches in five cities. Hooray for this #TKEurope2015 achievement!
It was a humbling experience to see all of these beautiful churches, one pilgrimage I will never forget. And to have shared the music of the Pasyon to our audience, fellow Filipinos especially, it was a blessing to bless them with our music.
~ Touringkitty
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For those who don’t know Ginger, please watch this video and subscribe to her channel for aspiring entrepreneurs (GTV channel).
Time flew, fast. It has been two years since the first ever international choral competition took place at the CUltural Center of the Philippines. And I am proud to have been part of it.
Now, two years after, the second competition happens right on the month when the honoree commemorates her birth and passing on. As I type this, we remember her second birthday in heaven, two days before her actual birth date.
This year’s competition happens on the third week of July, from the 22nd to the 25th. Just as it’s about to close on the 25th, the nation will be celebrating the National Week of Filipino Music. Such a great tribute!
And as for its second season, the competition is a legacy, a beautiful one left by the honoree, Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion, Ma’am OA to many, one of the pillars of Filipino choral music. Through her legacy of excellence as founding choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and the legions of choristers its members and alumni have trained, the Singing Philippines have reached a realization.
Competing for the second competition are six choirs from Indonesia, Italy, and Mexico, and ten Filipino choirs, vying for prizes in three categories, which are Folk Music, Chamber Choir, and Vocal Ensemble. The jury is composed of five of the best names in the choral world: Brady Allred (I once took a conducting masterclass under him back when I was pregnant), Janis Liepnis (who handles Kamer, a two-time European Grand Prix for Choral Singing winner like the Madz), Silvana Vallesi (yay for female conductors! She conducts the Coro Universitario de Mendoza in Argentina), Andre Van der Merwe (famous conductor of youth choirs in South Africa), and Mark Carpio of the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
To celebrate Filipino culture and music, the competition will premiere the obligatory piece commissioned by the CCP for the Chamber Choir category, entitled “Ang Tren,” a setting of Filipino literary giant Jose Corazon de Jesus’ poem, music composed by young award-winning composer Saunder Choi.
It’s always a learning experience watching competitions, that’s why if you are a choral conductor or chorister, you should watch this. An international level of competition right in our own land!
If you’re a student or a chorister who would want to watch, email choralfestmnl2015(at)gmail(dot)com to inquire on how to avail of the 50% discount. And since the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are free and open to all, see you there!
— ANDREA O. VENERACION INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL
July 22-25, 2015
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).
Wednesday, July 22, 2015:
5:00 PM Opening Ceremonies; 7:00 PM Folk Song Competiton
Thursday, July 23, 2015: 7:00 PM Vocal Ensemble Competition
Friday, July 24, 2015: 7:00 PM Chamber Choir Competition
Saturday, July 25, 2015: 4:00 PM Philippine Madrigal Singers Gala Concert 7:00 PM Awarding & Closing Ceremonies
Ticket Prices: P800, P700, P500, P300 (all competitions and Madrigal Singers concert) 50% discount for students & choirs who want to watch
Opening and Closing Ceremonies: FREE/OPEN TO THE PUBLIC For ticket inquiries/reservations please email choralfestmnl2015@gmail.com
What brought us to Europe is the invitation to the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. to perform for the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space. Held every four years, PQ as it is popularly called, gathers together artists from all ofer the world for an exhibition. Prague turns into a huge arts hub, literally, including its streets.
I, and some more choristers from various groups were invited to join the trip. It is an honour for us to be part of this trip, as well as to represent the country in such a performance.
For this trip, we prepared two sets of repertoire: First is the “Kamanyang,” all-Filipino choral, ensemble, and popular music selections, and “Pasyon,” which is a cappella choral music in Filipino. One of the songs in the popular music section is Pinoy Ako (more popularly heard from Pinoy Big Brother), written by Kenyo’s Mcoy Fundales. But that’s another story for another day, so stay tuned.
The main event of the tour was the Prague Quadrennial, where we are to perform scenes from the Passion of Christ in the streets of Prague, which is widely performed as a theater production all over the Philippines during Holy Week. Our production has a different take– even if the text was purely Filipino, choral music was the main vehicle to transcend the message to the foreign audience, in Europe especially, where choral music is rich and accessible.
And the man behind the wonderful music we’ve sung is musical director and composer Ato del Rosario. I’ve known Kuya Ato since my Madz days, when we used to record songs in his Quezon City home. I got to know him and his music more during this tour. And what wonderful music he created!
Since we first rehearsed songs for the Kamanyang part, some songs for the Pasyon Kuya Ato would write the day (or perhaps hours) before we’d meet for rehearsals. And they were gems! Easy-to-the-ears melodic lines. They may talk about Christ’s passion which was supposed to be sad and melancholic, but the melodies in his works are heartwarming. I have never liked the Pasyon (because I know it’s sad) until this work came along!
The scenes chosen complemented each other, and were sequenced well. We had three-line interludes in between musical numbers, which tied up the next scene from the previous one. Script was written by Joseph Sonny Cristobal, and stage direction was by Arman Sta. Ana. The staging in Prague was in the streets, so we had liberty to use a 40 ft x40 ft space and move around with props and costume changes. As with the church as venue (in Venice and Vienna), we were limited, so we did it concert style. Not your typical choral set up–some are sitting and some standing. Add the fact that we are limited in number–only ten singers (3 sopranos, 2 altos, 2 tenors, and 3 basses). So this was for us a challenge yet a blessing, because we got to work harder therefore work closely with one another. And hearing positive feedback from our audience, as well as our hosts and friends who watched was definitely the cherry on top of the icing!
PQ15 performance and the PQ15 Philippine contingent.
Enough of the descriptions, here’s a sampling of one of the works. The last two scenes, “La Pieta” and “Pagkabuhay.” Soloist for La Pieta is Verona Fortaleza McDonnell, who did the part with so much emotion and passion. This was the last performance of the tour in Fava, Venice, Italy.
Visiting Europe four times without worrying too much on airfare and accommodations was more like winning the lottery or a raffle. But this would not be possible, in my case, if it were not for the musical talent God gave me. And for that I am humbled, honored, privileged, and happy to share His music to more people.
Touringkitty is back as well!
Yes, dear TK readers, as I have posted in my IG and Facebook pages, I got a chance to travel Europe again, this time not with the Philippine Madrigal Singers, but through an invitation from a theater group from Bulacan. I get to sing AND do some acting and costumes this time, as we presented Pasyon scenes.
Reenactment of Pasyon is very popular in the Philippines every Holy Week. Some text from the Pasyong Mahal (another great Filipino tradition of recitation of this very long text in Holy Week) was set to beautiful music by Ato del Rosario. This comprised the main part of the trip, as we first presented this musical theater piece in the Prague Quadrennial of Design and Space on June 19. Succeeding performances saw us doing a concert style performance (sans movement and pure blocking only) in Vienna, Austria and Venice, Italy.
The first half of this year covered preparation for this trip. My weekends were always on field, literally, as we travel Bulacan for rehearsals only. Such a sacrifice for the invited performers, but was all good given the output performances which made some people cry, smile, sympathize, and reflect on the Passion of Christ.
Preparing for the trip also prepared me for the people I will be with away from our motherland for two weeks in June. I gained friends, old and new, and good musicians too. Friends who made the tour a lot lighter and happier.
Am excited to write about the rest of the trip, of course including the pasyal and pasalubong–two things loved by our families. Also did not forget to pass by one church at each stop and offer candles and prayers for my concerns and those of my family and friends. Will also give some tips for the first time Euro biyahero.
Meanwhile I must rest and recover immediately to do these. Hope to get on the articles asap.
Before I end, here’s one of my favourite photos of the tour and a quote I like to share: Traveling: it leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller. – Ibn Battuta
Travel pa more!
~ Touringkitty
Manila Workshops, together with Young Advocates, present Pastel Color Painting Workshop. This session is open to kids ages 5 and above. This will take place on June 27, 2015, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Mothercare, 3/L The Podium Mall, 18 ADM Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
Kids will learn the basics on Pastel Color Painting such as preliminary line drawing, establishing dark tones, intensifying dark tones, establishing the light tones, introducing colors, building up the colors, balancing the tones and colors.
About the Teacher
Jennifer Villanueva is the founder of Young Advocates a non-profit environmental arts organization incorporated in the year 2000, and successfully conducted a series of art workshops and camp for kids five years and up. She is also a member of Bahaghari ng Malolos, and Lakn Sining, both an arts groups based in Bulacan. In the past she has worked as an Assistant Editor of Parents Magazine, under Belgosa Publishing and as a News Writer for RPN 9 News Watch & News Cap. She is currently working as a freelance copy writer and artist for corporate clients, while she takes care of her baby, Cassey Hunter.
