PLAY: Go out and celebrate the First Play Advocacy Week with your kids

When was the last time you played with your kids? Not just "playtime" with your gadgets or mobile devices but more of the games that you grew up playing.

If you're up for some field games and ready to get your hands and feet active, be part of Play Advocacy Week 2018 with your family.

In celebration of the National Children’s Month this November, Play It Forward and their partners – play champions – came up with different ways of participating in this week-long celebration.

Happening from November 18 to 24, 2018, Play Advocacy Week is a campaign led by Play It Forward, Unilab Foudation’s therapeutic play program for children in vulnerable areas. The program is founded on the belief that every child has the right to play, and that play is essential in the mental health and holistic development of children.

Play Champions graced the kick-off event of Play Advocacy Week, a campaign led by Play It Forward, Unilab Foundation’s therapeutic play program for children founded on the belief that every child has the right to play, and that play is essential in the holistic development of children. The event was held at the Mind Museum at BGC, taguig City today.

In photo: Ms. Elizabeth Aristorenas, Unilab Foundation Executive Director; Ms. Yasmin Mapua-Tang, Probe Media Foundation Executive Director; Ms. Lee Nabablit-Aguila, Council for the Welfare of Children Planning Officer; Mr. Geomel Jetonzo, World Vision Philippines Technical Program Manager for Education; Ms. Ma. Fatima Lorenzo, Kythe Foundation Executive Director; Ms. Anne Marie Dimalanta, A Child’s D.R.E.A.M. Foundation Administrator; Ms. Bambi Manosa-Tanjutco, Tukod Foundation Vice President; and Ms. Maribel Garcia, The Mind Museum Curator.

With more than 30 partners from the government, corporate companies, the academe, and the healthcare sector, Play It Forward wants to reach as many people as possible in order to make play happen.

You too can be part of the Play Advocacy Week! Here are some of the activities organized by our Play Champions:

PLAY with colors at the Color Run Hero Tour.

●        What’s happening: Join this colorful fun run organized by YesPinoy Foundation, an advocacy founded by actor Dingdong Dantes. Find out why it’s dubbed the “Happiest 5k on the Planet!”

●        When is this: November 18, 2018 in McKinley West, Taguig City

●        This is best for: Everyone! Bring your friends or family in support of the youth of our country.

●        I’m interested! How can I join? Visit www.runrio.com/race/the-color-run-hero-tour-2018 for details!

Watch a local theater PLAY with your kids at PETA.

●        What’s happening: Watch the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)’s show, “Tagu-Taguan, Nasaan ang Buwan?” It is a children’s musical filled with quirky and imaginative sets and characters.

●        When is this: The show will run from November 18 to 29, 2018

●        This is best for: The whole family!

●        I’m interested! How can I join? Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PETATHEATER for details on where you can purchase tickets. PETA Theater Center is located at #5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.

PLAY with your imagination and make dolls with scraps, at Museo Pambata’s Doll Making Workshop.

●        What’s happening: Museo Pambata is conducting a Doll-Making Workshop!

●        When is this: November 24 and 25, 2018, 9:00AM to 4:00PM

●        This is best for: Kids, and adults too! If you are a mom, a teacher, a nurse, or if you simply want to learn another bonding activity with kids, then this is the place to go!

●        More fun: A photo exhibit called “Through the Eyes of a Child”, as well as an art sale by kids, will also run in Museo Pambata from November 18 to 24.

●        I’m interested! How can I join? Email info@museopambata.org or visit www.facebook.com/MuseoPambata

Unleash the power of Role-PLAY at KidZania.

●        What’s happening: KidZania supports the National Children’s Month, and believes in the children’s right to play, right to learn and right to be. Let your child have fun while learning through KidZania’s role-play activities!

●        When is this: Throughout the Play Advocacy Week, from November 18 to 24!

●        This is best for: Children aged 7 to 17 years old, who want to learn how to be a doctor, a fireman, a reporter, and so much more!

●        I’m interested! How can I join? Visit manila.kidzania.com/en-ph for tickets! KidZania is located at Park Triangle, North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

PLAY in costume with Star Wars characters.

●        What’s happening: Kythe Foundation, University of Santo Tomas 4C3 Eco, together with the 501st Legion Philippine Garrison, is bringing the Star Wars universe to life for the pediatric patients in the Philippine Orthopedic Center.

●        When is this: November 24, 2018

●        This is exclusively for: Pediatric patients and their families at the Philippine Orthopedic Center, 78-A Maria Clara St, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City.

●        I want to meet them too! Where can I find them? Check out their other events on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pinoy501st. 

Join the PLAY Sessions at Ronald McDonald’s Bahay Bulilit.

●        What’s happening: Do you remember playing in a McDonald’s play place as a kid? The Ronald McDonald House of Charities will be conducting play sessions in Bahay Bulilit play areas!

●        When is this: November 18 to 24, 2018

●        I’m interested! How can I join? If you want to volunteer, please contact Danika Madulid at danica.madulid@ph.mcd.com.

Play champions from the Philippine Heart Center, WWF-Philippines, Bantay Bata 163 and Vico’s Artism will also be holding their own play activities during the week. Our friends from Philippine Pediatrics Society and A Child's D.R.E.A.M. Foundation will be championing play through social media campaigns.

Ayala Malls-Solenad will have giant art installations that feature traditional Filipino games. This is in line with Tukod Foundation’s Awit at Laro campaign, which celebrates the spirit of play.

For a full list of activities during the Play Advocacy Week, follow www.facebook.com/PlayItForwardPH!

But wait, there’s more!

Play It Forward has invited renowned artists to paint murals in the foundation’s key partner areas. 3D artist Archie Blanco will go to Play It Forward’s first ever play space in Cagayan De Oro, while Ged Alangui of the STOBOSA artwork in Baguio will visit the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City. Together with volunteers from Gawad Kalinga and Play It Forward, these artists will bring a bit more color to the lives of the children in these communities.

Play It Forward invites more Play Champions to help promote the children’s right to play. Since 2012, the program has been able to conduct over 3,000 play sessions, and has reached over 7,000 pediatric patients and children from vulnerable areas.

The Play Advocacy Week is endorsed by the Council for the Welfare of Children.

For partnerships and more information about the Play Advocacy Week, please contact the secretariat at (+632) 858-1000 local 8163 or email partnerships@unilabfoundation.org. You may also visit www.facebook.com/PlayItForwardPH and www.unilabfoundation.org. 

Ginger Snap Christmas Warehouse Sale 2017

Updated on November 14, 2017.

The month of December is near and we're singing Christmas songs and starts to shop for gifts now.

Talking about gift ideas, you might want to head on Gingersnap's warehouse sale which is opening today and will run for two months. This has been a yearly "tradition" of sort for me and my husband since we lived a few blocks from their factory.

Just to give you an idea: a Gingersnap toddler shirt that cost P1,000 in SM outlets is only Php 100. So it's like freebie in a way but you're still paying a little.

I am not related in anyway to anyone working in Gingersnap or never been engage in any business with them. I am just a happy and satisfied customer who wants to provide the best things I can give to my son. In this case, quality clothing at lower prizes.

The warehouse sale starts from November 16 to December 29, 2017. They are open from Mon - Sat except holidays. Attached is the map going to the Gingersnap Warehouse. They are open from 8 am to 4 pm from Monday to Saturday. Their address is Warehouse 19, Armal Compound 2, M.Eusebio Ave., San Miguel, Pasig City or you may call 654-3619 to 21 for more information.

TIP: If you want the items to look that you got them from a GS store or from the mall, buy GS gift boxes (there are diff. designs to choose from) that are also sold at the warehouse at Php 30 each. Price is based from last year's sale.

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The perfect Koala's March combos for the whole year

Kids definitely know how to enjoy a snack in many different ways, especially when it is a kind of snack that has many layers to it—just like Koala’s March.

With its crunchy biscuit’s outer shell filled with rich flavorful filling that is sure to burst in your mouth, kids will definitely enjoy Koala’s March in almost any manner they want and in tandem with a lot of fun and flavorful goodies to pair it with.

Here are just some of the fun-filled combinations one can enjoy with Koala’s March. You’ll be surprised to discover that Koala’s March goes well with most of their favorite goodies!

Warm drinks. Rich and creamy hot chocolate or warm milk adds an extra dose of wholesome goodness to Koala’s March. Just a small sip, followed by a piece of Koala’s March biscuit creates a sweet, slush-like mixture in your mouth. If you’re a dunker, you can always dip it in and then drop straight into your mouth for that satisfying dose of milk-chocolatey goodness.

Ice Cream. One of the best combos for Koala’s March is to eat it with ice cream or frozen yoghurt. The thick and creamy texture of ice cream and yoghurt complements well with the biscuit’s crunchiness, as one could expect a one-of-a-kind burst of delight when the flavored filling from the biscuit mixes with the creaminess of the ice cream or yoghurt.

Chocolate syrup, Caramel or even Condensed milk. Nothing satisfies a sweet tooth than dipping Koala’s March into these delectable delights. It’s sure to be a treat for kids but of course like in all things, keep it in moderation. Remember to always brush your teeth to prevent cavities and other dental problems.

Small Berries and other sweer fruits. It may sound unusual, but Koala’s March is surprisingly good with fruits cut into small pieces. You can even glaze it with syrup if you want. It’s really worth giving it a try. And you may also do your own experiment on mixing and matching Koala’s March with other food items.

So whether it be food or drinks, these are just some of the delightful ways kids—even adults—can enjoy Koala’s March. With all the combos out there, you are sure to enjoy this tasty treat any time of the day, any time of the year. Just go ahead and be creative with your taste buds because with Koala’s March biscuits, you can never go wrong.

Good working habits we can learn from kids

This article was published last November 28, 2010 in the Philippine Daily Inquirer - Working People section.

I was amused to hear someone has just invented a double-headed broom to collect large debris and fine dust simultaneously.  I was floored (no pun intended) when I found out from BBC that a 5-year old boy from UK named Sam Houghton invented it to help his father sweep leaves in their front yard. 

Then, I told my self, “Why should I be surprised?”   Justin Bieber conquered the imagination of music fans worldwide at the age of 14.  Then, Filipino Steven Purugganan was hailed as the World Speed Stacking champion when he was just 10.  These stories only prove that age doesn’t matter when it comes to reaching one’s dreams.

Being a mother of a 1-year old son, I am surprised how fast my little one learned things like clicking the mouse of our PC, turning off the TV, answering the phone, and other things.  Makes me wonder what kids today have been eating that we don’t have when we were young.

But one thing that really surprises me and something I hate to admit is the fact that I actually learned a lot of things from children.  Allow me to share some good working habits that I learned from kids since I started working in a school three years ago:

1. Use multitasking for routine tasks. It is helpful in accomplishing more chores at the same time.  If you want to get some technique on how to properly do it, watch your child study while watching TV, eating merienda and play with his/ her favorite toy in your living room.
2. Be honest always.  It has been said that children speaks the truth.  If we adults can establish trust within our respective workplaces, there will be better productivity since it permits people to overcome doubts and unknowns and enjoy peace of mind. The absence of trust causes confusion, worry, inaction, and fear.
3. Don’t be afraid to try new things.  It's the only way you can truly realize your potential.  It’s like limiting yourself into just doing the same things everyday because you are afraid to take the risk.  The next time you compose a letter, try to do it in front of the computer and not with the typewriter.  Did I mention that my 1-year old son knows to use a mouse?
4. Think positive. Do not think how hard your work load is or how many days you will need to finish them.  Consider these difficulties as challenges that are just part of your job.  Remember those times that you hate to wear shoes because you don’t know how to tie their laces.  Now, as if it’s like paradise when you’re in a shoe store.
5. Ask questions when you’re confused.  Don’t think that if you keep on asking for help people would compare you to a child who never runs out of questions.   Part of learning is getting information from people who know how to do things that you are not familiar with.  It’s more embarrassing when people try to lecture you after you failed with your work.
6. Respect the elderly.  It always makes me smile when I hear kids say “po” and “opo.”  It reflects that these kids where raised properly by their parents.  Sometimes, we tend to forget to say those “magic words” when we ask for favors from our janitors or security guards who are older than us.  Believe me, they are more inspired to work when they feel they are respected.
7. Be true to your word.  Kids remember every detail of the promises you gave to them so make sure these will not end up as broken promises otherwise they’ll be broken-hearted.   Remember that when something is agreed upon, it should be done.
8. Always be on time.  There is a golden rule that you should always remember when you work in a school and that is you should not be late for work.  Students and being taught everyday about the value of time and it will be uncomfortable to arrive in the office when all the students are already there.
9. Give importance to rest and relaxation. Good working habits are not just about working. Our body and mind also needs a breather from all the office tasks we are doing.  Take time to play.  It’s not for kids only.
10. Dream and believe you can achieve it.  No one is too old to dream.  Always remember that life is an unending journey and each day provides a different opportunity to learn new things.  Work hard, put your heart and mind into it and you’ll definitely reach that goal someday.