Read Filipiniana Books!
Buy Your Copies at the Filipinas Heritage Library Online Book Club

If you are a book lover, you should visit the newly improved Filipinas Heritage Library. They now have a generous list of Filipiniana books, journals, magazines, videos, music, and CD-ROMs (meaning the authors are Filipinos) sold online at their “Libros Filipinos” book club.

Its goal is to allow an extensive research place that is both available locally and internationally for the eyes and ears of kids or adults. Now, our fellow Filipinos, who are abroad and can’t go home in our country, can enjoy reading culture-based materials. From year 1996, the library has been a leading one-stop electronic library of Filipiniana books and other resources.

New projects on a widened commitment to reading beyond the functions of a traditional library have been started last year as part of its 15th year celebration. At “Filipiniana Online,” the price ranges from Php 80 to 11,100. Looking into the categories, you can see that a lot of these books are written under extraordinary and unique topics, anyone would absolutely die for!

Here are some of them:

• Ako si Kaliwa, Ako si Kanan (Category: Book: Children’s Literature) – written by author, Russell Molina
• Alien To Any Skin (Category: Book: Poetry) – written by author: Jim Pascual Agustin
• After The Storm: Stories on Ondoy (Category: Book: Essay) – written by editor, Elbert Or
• Bravo Filipino (Audio CD) (Category: Non Book: Multimedia) – written by author, Jaime Zobel
• Gitnang Uring Fantasya (Category: Book: Poetry) – written by author, Rolando B. Tolentino
• Legaspi: The Making of a National Artist  (Category: Book: Autobiography/Biography) – written by author, Alfredo A. Roces
• The Love of My Buhay: A Pinoy Love Poem Just For You (Category: Book: Poetry) –
• created by artist, Elbert Or
• The Road Less Travelled: Project Development by LGUs for LGUs (Category: Book: Reference) – written by authors, Colin Hubo, Dionisio Paelleras, Jr., Rolando Dy, Winston Conrad Padojinog and Gilbert Llanto
• True Encounters wth the Unknown (Category: Book: Fiction) – written by author, Jaime T. Licauco
• Unsurrendered 100 Voices (DVD) (Category: Non Book: Multimedia) – written by Author: A Spyron-AV Manila Production

Other projects are Book Donations, “Bravo,” “Teens Read, Too!” and the “MyLibrary” for communities and public schools, which was promoted last August 2011 by apl.de.ap, the famous Half-Filipino international singer and member of “Black Eyed Peas” group, when he opened a music studio, computer room and library at his own alma mater: Holy Angel University (HAU) and Sapang Bato National High School (SBNHS) in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Visit the site now for further details on the latest books. Just go through Bibliofiles, shop online with its website book catalog and read news or updates from the Filipinas Heritage Library. Even better, you can bring the whole family for an afternoon reading at their land location in the Nielson Tower, Makati.

This November 27, 2011, bring your family and friends to the “McHappy Day Fun Run 2011!” With a second time in a row, McDonald’s has again opened the event for the benefit of “Bright Minds Read” project in charity help. The Department of Education (DepEd) co-partners in making it successful. The organizer is the Eventking Corp. Together they make dreams of reading books and magazines for grade 1 students in the Philippines public schools possible.

The race venue and assembly is at the Mc Kinley Hills, Taguig City with levels of tracks in 1Km for kids with age 3-5 and 3Km for kids with age 6-12, 3Km for families in packs of 4 (though this ones already closed in registration,) and the 5Km for ages over 3 years old and 10Km open for ages 15 years old and above. The joining price for the race in 1Km for kids is Php 375, 3Km for kids is Php 425, 3Km for families in packs of 4 is Php 1,000, 5Km is Php 525 and 10Km is Php 725. You can register at any McDonald’s outlets.

Once joining, racers are asked to create their bibs in any style they want, place the best head dress for the occasion and wear their most favorite family costumes worn. These are special prices conditions that are awarded with gift certificates and cash for every winner, while the regular track prices waiting are also gift certificates and cash for every winner.

For more details on the “McHappy Day Fun Run 2011,” visit the www.mchappyday.com.ph today! Join the fun.

My husband had been urging for the longest time to join running events in the past but I’ve been postponing it every time. It’s not that I don’t like running but the idea of waking up in early in the morning to practice makes me having a second thought.

But when my brother,  whose company is into advertising,  told me that he will sign us up for the Adidas King of the Road marathon, I cannot back out anymore since he told me that it’s

My sisters and our kids

FREE since they’re one of the sponsors. I immediately informed my husband and he was glad that I grabbed the opportunity.

So last Sunday, was my first official running event. The marathon was the final leg for the Adidas King of the Road – South East Asia race. It’s more of a fun run for us since my eldest son joined me and my husband on this, together with the family of my two sisters. There were a total of 9 of us including 3 kids who joined the 5K category.

We had so much fun during the run although the 3 kids were sometimes complaining that they’re thirsty already, and so we always make sure that they drink enough water on every hydration station. We brought 3 point-and-shoot cameras with us, one for every family, so we took pictures whenever there’s a chance.

We finished the event in less than an hour and we all received our first finisher medal! Aside from this, we also have a collection of colorful singlets!

My son with his cousin Jules together with Coach Jim Sarret

After the run, the kids had the opportunity to get a picture with Joy of Pilipinas Biggest Losers and Coach Jim Sarret as well.

With Joy Sy of Pinoy Biggest Loser

Since all of us enjoyed the event, for sure we will join another race in the future, and hopefully it’s for free again

Get to Know the Real Meaning of Play for Kids at Play Pilipinas! This October 21-23, 2011.

Kids love to play nearly all day given in their lives. What is the real meaning of play for them? It is a single word that covers every aspect in physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially throughout their developmental stages. This actual shows the formative meaning in psychology. How and where they choose to play actually give the impressions of their time management while still being small kids, which they can fondly look back into upon growing up.

Play Pilipinas 2011

When you bring your kids to the store and buy toys carefully chosen, you are actually teaching them responsibility for the things they own as well as the way they will handle or even protect these toys in the future. It is necessary for them to know that playing includes almost all the time toys, activities, workshops and with other aspects they need to learn in building qualities like sportsmanship, creativity and leadership that when they are already grown ups in the future can be compared to much more deepened or enriched activities. Wherein, the qualities are almost in the same capacity, just as this time, they are grown ups and not kids anymore.

You see it is very important for them to see the level of responsibility they are asked for and the way it changes as time goes by, as their activities also changes. Older people have more responsibilities than kids, thus, faces more risks in life.

That is why Play Pilipinas was started by the Play Universal Co. If you don’t know, it is actually the first festival to be held just to tackle the different issues faced by kids play in the country. Together varied companies and institutions help with concerned individuals on shaping the future of young Filipinos today through improving ways to do their playing activity.

Since, our culture encompasses a lot of games that were actually passed from generations, Play Pilipinas aims to start a call on preserving, promoting as well as enriching original Pinoy games, or what kids play here in our country, while at the same time touching on psychomotor skills. The event is wholly packed with fun and energy driven activities for the whole family to participate.

Visit the site now at www.playpilipinas.org for more details on how to join!

Here is a view of what’s in store at Play Pilipinas 2011:

• some of the speakers attending to hear would be Ma. Lourdes “Honey” Arellano-Carandang, Ph.D., a practicing clinical psychologist.
• Hitoshi Shimamura, a playworker and supervisor in series of adventure playgrounds in and outside Tokyo for 15 years.
• Kay Gibbons, the Head of Nutrition Services at Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.
• You can also choose from relevant workshops to join like “Toy Analysis” by Rebecca de Guzman, OTRP, University of the Philippines – Manila and “The Play Mindset” with My Masterpiece;
• and lastly, the fair would also include aside from exhibits from toy designers, a book and nutrition fair just for your kids together with other fair activities.

The registration for participants is extended only up to this October 15, 2011. So what are you waiting for?

Do you write your own reviewer for your kids? Have you compiled  and saved them in your computer or laptop?

I have a plan to upload reviewer here at PinayMom.org. This is of course for free, for all students and moms (including dads) who are looking for reviewers for their kids.

I have compiled a number of reviewer already. These are lessons from my kids who are in Grade 1 and Grade 3 respectively.

You might ask, why there’s a need to write your own reviewer if there’s already a lot of reviewers in the internet that are free? The answer is very simple. I agree that there’s plenty of uploaded reviewer out there already including essays, and some are even offering research papers free service. Unfortunately,a lot of them are using Western education system and are not suitable for Filipino students.

My sister who has a grade 2 daughter is also writing reviewer for her and is voluntarily giving me copies so I can upload them too.

The ultimate goal for this simple project is for the parents to find and have an easy access on reviewer (and lessons too). All they have to do is just download and print. I’m pretty sure that this will be a valuable resources for them specially those who are working, and doesn’t have time to write a reviewer for their kids.

If you want to share school reviewer, please let me know. Leave your comment here or send me an email at pinaymomorg@gmail.com. I don’t have the time to review them, so if you may, write the subject, grade level and perhaps the name of the school too.  Microsoft Word document is the much preferred format but other formats such as  Excel, Notepad and PDF are welcome too.

I received this email the other day and I really want to share with all the readers of PinayMom. The message is so powerful that will make you think, as a parent, how do you treat your children. Do you shout at them?

We always notice the graft and corruption happening in our government but do you practice honesty and transparency at home?

Well, I hope you can learn a lesson or two from the message below.

It is in the home that we learn how to treat others. The way a person treats his or her family affects how he or she treats other people. Therefore, parents are responsible in training their children on how they should treat family members. Matthew 7:12 says, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

How do you treat your family properly? Here are five ways to apply this principle.

Be Respectful. In order to be respectful you cannot be moody. This means you have to keep your emotions in control. Use kind words, words that can build up a person. As parents, you have to respect your children even though they are subject under your authority. Respect them so they will learn to respect others.

Be Forgiving. Conflicts are inevitable but in Ephesians 4:32, it says, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Those who have experienced God’s forgiveness through the redemptive power of the blood of Christ ought to forgive as they have been forgiven. Jesus says to even forgive your brother “seventy times seven”. Kindness is the evidence of forgiveness. You cannot afford to be kind if you have not forgiven. Parents are responsible for creating an environment of joy, forgiveness and acceptance in the home instead of tension and anger.

Be Givers, Not Takers. By nature we are selfish. We think that we’re entitled to many things. But the Bible says: “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”(Philippians 2:4) As parents, you should train your children to learn how to appreciate the blessings they have so that they will be givers and not takers. Allow them to see the realities of life and give them opportunities to serve others.

Be Accountable. The Bible tells us, “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27: 5-6) Practice honesty and transparency at home. Avoid discussions by raising your voice or by crying. Be humble enough to listen and then clarify your position. If you are wrong, learn to admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness.

Be a Dream Releaser. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Allow your children to be stretched. Give them wings to fly. Put courage in the lives of your children, as most of them are afraid to fail and lack confidence. Your role is to build in courage by pointing them towards Jesus. In the same way, for young people be dream releasers to your parents also. It is never too late to tell your parents what they can become, too.

I’ve been hearing  in the news for the past days that Dengue is once again on high alert status. Last night, it was reported that 32 died already in Ilocos region. The number of deaths reported was half of the reported deaths last year for the same time period.

The Department of Education alerted the schools in the country against the disease Dengue after a state of calamity was declared in the Ilocos region where 32 people die while 4665 still stricken and continue the escalation of the hospitalized.

Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro cautioned the students as well as the teachers to readily see their school clinic doctor as soon as they feel the symptoms of Dengue. Anybody can be stricken with the disease, either young or old.

Some symptoms of dengue are high fever, rashes, and severe headaches.

In this regard,  an ”express lanes” against Dengue was established in some of the hospitals and rural health units in La Union and Pangasinan.  Fogging (note: DOH is not recommending this), fumigation and cleanup drive were also conducted in such provinces.

The school officials are encouraged to work together barangay officials to ensure the surrounding of schools stays clean because this is one effective way to avoid dengue-carrying mosquitoes. Half the battle against dengue is won with a clean surrounding.

Students are also instructed to wear long pants or jogging pants. The dengue-carrying mosquitoes normally target exposed skins particularly the legs, which is why the school’s principal now encourages students to wear pants.

I encourage all PinayMom readers on How to Recognize The Symptoms of Dengue Fever and How To Dengue-Proof Your Home.

My youngest son assignment last Monday is to find and submit the lyrics of “Magtanim Ay Di Biro”. This is a project for his Filipino subject. I was able to find the lyrics right away, thanks to Mr. Google of course. However, I had a hard time looking for a video with lyrics so my son can sing a long with it.

So for those who might have the same assignment like my son, here’s the lyrics of “Magtanim Ay Di Biro” in Filipino (or Tagalog?). And, for those who wants to sing the song, below  is the video which I got from YouTube.

Magtanim ay di biro
Maghapong nakayuko
Di naman makatayo
Di naman makaupo

Bisig ko’y namamanhid
Baywang ko’y nangangawit.
Binti ko’y namimintig
Sa pagkababad sa tubig.

Kay-pagkasawing-palad
Ng inianak sa hirap,
Ang bisig kung di iunat,
Di kumita ng pilak. Sa umagang pagkagising
Lahat ay iisipin
Kung saan may patanim
May masarap na pagkain.

Halina, halina, mga kaliyag,
Tayo’y magsipag-unat-unat.
Magpanibago tayo ng lakas
Para sa araw ng bukas

(Braso ko’y namamanhid
Baywang ko’y nangangawit.
Binti ko’y namimintig
Sa pagkababad sa tubig.)

I know the introduction and credits are longer than the song so just bear with it. Let’s just be thankful to those who uploaded this song on YouTube. It’s the best copy that I’ve found for my son. You can play forward it at 00:30 if you don’t want to see the introduction anymore.

Year 2009 when my husband and I noticed that there’s something wrong with our eldest son’s eyes.  So we decided to bring him to a pediatric ophthalmologist. The doctor told us that our son has astigmatism.Then she asked who amongst our family has astigmatism since it is hereditary or genetic in nature.  We cannot give an answer to the doctor because we don’t know whose family side has astigmatism.

We were informed that it’s curable since our son is still young and can still be corrected. The doctor gave our son prescription to wear an eyeglasses, and alternate eye patch everyday to correct his astigmatism. My son looks like a pirate whenever he wears his eye patch.

I’m a bit sad when I learned that my son need to wear eyeglasses. My husband and I have perfect vision,  and I hate wearing glasses except to protect our eyes from the sun.

Our youngest son wearing his eyeglasses

Then last year, we brought our youngest son to have his eyes checked also. To our dismayed, our youngest son has the same result. Worst, the level of his astigmatism is much higher than his older brother.

I was able to find some designer eyewear for my youngest son unfortunately, he is more physically active than his older brother so I bought him an sports eyewear too. While surfing the internet this afternoon, I came across a web site which make specialized affordable eyeglasses. The prizes are also almost comparable to the local store where I’m buying my son’s eye glasses.  I also read that they have an outreach program wherein for every  pair of eyeglasses  you buy they would donate another pair to someone.

I felt relieved knowing that we are helping someone out there, buy purchasing an eye wear for our sons. Isn’t it awesome? I hope there will be more business establishments that will donate or help other people for every cents spent in their store.

One way to help your child to study better is to make sure your child has a separate study room or a study corner where distractions such as television and radio is turned off. Let’s face the fact that studying in the house after half or whole day in school is not fun anymore. Some kids get easily bored and more often, pushing them to study after school is will make them more lazy to study.

So let’s try to help them by providing them a study corner and design it according to their age.

Tips on customizing a study corner according to your child’s age:

1. Preschoolers – The study area should be fun, lest the children gets bored. Leave educational toys within easy reach, and decorate with active colors like red, yellow, and blue. Make sure the furniture is child-safe: avoid sharp metal corners, and cover table corners with protective cushions.
Tip: Personalized, handmade crafts and fun decorations on the wall will surely excite your kids to study in his/her room.

2. Grade schoolers – Position the study area away from television and toys. Since kids can get distracted and overwhelmed, store most tools and books in nearby drawers and shelves – easy to access, but won’t clutter the area. Your child should only see what he needs for that particular assignment.
Tip: For a grade schooler, keep his mobile gadgets and game consoles away (if any) to lessen their distraction. Try to put more colorful books instead.

3. Teens - The most common problem of teens is falling asleep while studying. Good lighting can help them stay awake and focused (get a good lamp or position table by the window). Invest in ergonomic chair- to discourage slouching, which will make him drowsy.
Tip: Most teens have their own laptop or PCs on their study room already, just provide your child a schedule on when they can use their computers so as not to waste their time in doing unnecessary tasks such as Facebook and other social network site.

It’s only been 2-3 weeks since the opening of school classes here in the Philippines. It’s not yet too late to prepare or decorate your child’s study room. Remember that aside from school, that “study corner” part of your house will be the breeding ground of a future doctor, engineer, president, CEO or perhaps of the new Einstein.