Kid Power 101!

I had a blast weekend last week! believe me--it was awesome! The day before I went to Holy Child Educational Center (an exclusive school in Iriga City), I remembered being so excited to be working directly with kids again--to my surprise though--(i'm sure--mitch (my IT staff @ the center) was surprised too!)-i discovered that the kids were more excited than me! Many admitted to had 3 to 4 hours sleep--too excited to attend the workshop! (Can you imagine the stress it created in me--at least internally!--i will be working with kids---the greatest critics of all times with amazing energy level (i'm afraid not to come up with their expectations!). Believe me--giving workshops to kids is much more difficult than working with adults. You see, with kids, no matter how good you are at the technical skills of information delivery--you will not doing the best possible job until you regain their joy and passion for learning! Tapping the passion, enthusiasm and joy that children and I were born to share is the greatest challenge!

Anyway, the two days workshop went very well and that experience reminded me again not to underestimate the life lessons kids can teach us everyday---certainly we ‘miss’ out on some things as we make the transition to adulthood but by looking at how children see the world, we can certainly learn (or relearn) some things to introduce in our own lives…

• That its okay to be yourself! Its okay to laugh out loud--or--cry buckets of tears.....that its okay to show your real and genuine emotions!



• For a child, everything is unfolding in real time before his eyes...



• For children, everything - even the most ordinary objects - has to be investigated, touched, and experienced. How I wish I can be like that again--the time and sense to smell the flowers, to appreciate the beauty of the rocks I always pass by every morning, affectionately touch the people I meet daily--etc...



• That when a child loves, his love is unconditional, and when he smiles at you can feel it beaming from him like the rays of a sunbeam--I remember meeting Juled who reintriduced me to the real concept of family! He taught me how to value family relationships once more (by reminding me of our affinity--being cousins--inviting me to their house, asking me to meet his "lolo", etc..)

Now that I'm back in my comfort zone--acting out my "adulthood" again--I cant help but feel rejuvenated (inside and out) after meeting the kids of HCEC! More than the accomplishment I got (after giving what the kids described to me as "the best Workshop!")--its the re-creating effect I got from the kids that matters to me most. Thank you HCEC kids!

Noong Ikaw ay Bata pa! (For 25-up!)

A friend of mine forwarded this email--and it really made my day! its nice to reminisce your childhood talaga! I've grown up, for sure. I live an adult life with adult problems and responsibilities. But I remember the child I was, the shyness, the exuberance, the worries, the carefreeness---now, lets all remember the beautiful childhood we all shared!

Noong ikaw ay bata pa, nagawa mo ba ang mga ito?

1. Kumakain ka ba ng aratilis? (sarapppppp!)

2. Nagpipitpit ng gumamela para gawing soapy bubbles na hihipan mo sa binilog na tanggkay ng walis tingting? (or ginagawang oil ang katas!--sabay prito ng margarine!:)

3. Pinipilit ka ba matulog ng nanay mo pag hapon at di ka papayagan maglaro pag di ka natulog? (na magtutulog tulog at pag naunang makatulog ang nanay--lalayas na sa kama para mag laro!)

4. Marunong ka magpatintero, saksak puso, langit-lupa, teleber-teleber, luksong tinik? (bubuka ang bulaklak--sasara ang bulakla!)

5. Malupit ka pag meron kang atari, family computer or nes? (go pacman!)

6. Alam mo ang silbi ng up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right,b, a, start (commando)? tapos maglalaro ng super mario? (beware of the mushrooms!)

7. May mga damit ka na U.S.E.D., Boy London, Cross Colors, Esprit, Blowing Bubbles at pag nakakakita ka ng Bench na damit eh naalala mo si Richard Gomez?

8. Addict ka sa rainbow brite, carebears, my little pony,thundercats, bioman, voltes v, mazinger z, daimos, he-man at marami pang cartoons na hindi pa translated sa tagalog?

9. Nanonood ka ng Shaider kasi nabobosohan mo si Annie at type na type mo ang puting panty nya? (inspiration ni big brother!)

10. Alam mo ibig sabihin ng time space warp at di mo makakalimutan ang time space warp chant (um-shigi shigi)?

11. Marunong ka mag wordstar at nakahawak ka na talaga ng 5.25 na floppy disk?

12. Kilala mo si manang bola at ang sitsiritsit girls?e si ning-ning at ging-ging? PERLAS NA BILOG, HUWAG TUTUTLOG TULOG, SABIHIN AGAD SA AKIN ANG SAGOT, BA-BE-BI-BO-BU (go kuya bogie!)

13. Inaabangan mo lagi ang batibot at akala mo magkakatuluyan si kuya bodgie at ate sienna.

14. Alam mo lyrics ng "tinapang bangus" at "alagang-alaga namin si puti"?

15. Nung high school ka inaabangan mo lagi beverly hills 90210?

16. Gumagamit ka ng AQUANET para pataasin ang bangs mo?

17. Meron kang blouse na may padding kung babae ka at meron kang sapatos na mighty kid kung lalake ka?

18. Nangongolekta ka ng paper stationaries at mahilig ka magpapirma sa slumbook mo para lang malaman mo kung sino ang crush ng type mo? (motto: love is blind! gasgas!)

19. idol mo si McGyver at nanonood kang Perfect Strangers? (nabubuksan lahat gamit ang hairpin! lupit talaga ni mc gayver!)

20. Eto malupet... six digits lang ba ang phone number nyo dati? (at phone na pangkaskas ng yelo---mega bigat--pwedeng pakilo!)

21.. Nakakatawag ka pa sa pay phone ng 3 bentesingko lang ang dala? (3 bentesingko--dingdong's song!)

22. Cute pa si aiza seguerra sa eat bulaga at alam mo ang song na "eh kasi bata"? (achehehe!)

23. at manood ng Eat Bulaga sa Channel 13 tapos nalipat sa 9 tapos sa 5 sumunod sa dos at ngayon nasa GMA 7 na..(student canteen!)

24. O kaya naman manood ng 'sang linggo na po sila ng APO sa dos..

25. Inabutan mo ba na ang Magnolia Chocolait eh nasa glass bottle pa na ginagawang lalagyan ng tubig ng nanay mo sa ref?

26.. Meron kang pencil case na maraming compartments na pinagyayabang mo sa mga kaklase mo?

27. Noon mo pa hinahanap kung saan ang Goya Fun Factory?

28. Alam mo ang kantang "gloria labandera".. lumusong sha sa tubig ang paa ay nabasa at ang "1, 2, 3, asawa ni marie".

29.Sosyal ka pag may play-doh ka at Lego... at nag-iipon ka ng G.I. Joe action figures at iba pa ang mukha ni barbie noon?

30. Inabutan mo pa yung singkong korteng bulaklak at yung diyes na square?

31. lumaki kang bobo dahil ang akala mo nangangagat talaga ang alimango sa kantang tong-tong-tong. .. diba naninipit yun?

32. Alam mo yung kwento ng pari na binigyan ng pera yung batang umakyat ng puno para bumili ng panty... and syempre, alam mo rin ba kung ano binigay nya sa nanay nung umakyat ng puno?

33. Meron kang kabisadong kanta ni andrew e na alam mo hanggang ngayon.. aminin? (humanap ka ng pangit...)


34. Laging lampin ang sinasapin sa likod mo pag pinapawisan ka?

35. Bumibili ka ng tarzan, texas at bazooka bubble gum... tira-tira, at yung kending bilog na sinawsaw sa asukal? (palakihan ng bubble)

36. Nanonood ka ba ng Madeline, Art Jam, Silip, detek Kids, Pahina Kokey, Hiraya Manawari, Math Tinik, Epol Apple, B1 at B2 at Bayani bago pumasok sa School lalo na kung pang-hapon ka??

37. Takot ka dumating ang year 2000 dahil sabi nla magugunaw daw ang mundo at yun ang tatawaging Y2K at pag dating daw ng year 2000 mawawala lahat ng powers ng mga appliances sa bahay nyo at mabubuhay ang buong mundo ng walang ilaw sa gabi?

38. Maaga ka umuuwi pagkagaling sa school kase manunuod ka ng That's Entertainment or AngTV?(sikat si jolina, sheryl at manilyn!)

Kung alam mo lahat dito lagpas ka na ng 25 years old... kapag halos lahat alam mo, nasa 18-25 ka...huwag ka magdeny.. tumawa ka na lang.. di ba 75 centavos pa lang pamasahe sa jeep noon at mas masarap ang mellow yellow kesa sa mountain dew at lift?at higit sa lahat 4:30 na kase AngTV na or THATS ENTERTAINMENT kase inaabangan mo bagong dance steps ng UNIVERSAL MOTION DANCERS!Wag kalimutan ang sayaw na TONY at boy band na MENUDO

Training on the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual ABuse

For the past 3 years, CYWTAC, being the first mental wellness center in Albay, has been a silent witness to the dramatic increase of child sexual abuse cases in our province and the region as a whole. This situation is alarming and as our response to address this sensitive need, we have decided to bring the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA) to Bicol Region to train our Bicol-based Psychosocial Professionals in terms of Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse. This rare and comprehensive three (3) days live-out training will be given on August 21-23, 2009 at Charisma Function Hall, Diversion Road, San Rafael, Guinobatan, Albay. We plan to make this live-in training/workshop comprehensive and in-depth by limiting the participants to 30 which would include the Teachers, Social Workers and Counselors of various Schools, Non-Government Organizations (NGO) and Government Organizations (GO’S).

This training-workshop will be facilitated by the trainers of the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA) based in Manila. CPTCSA is a non-profit, non-government child focused institution working towards a safe world for children free from sexual abuse exploitation. This training will cover the following dynamics:

· Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (Day 1)- covers definition, characteristics, causes, and prevention components, including handling disclosures. Much of the time is spent workshopping the personal safety materials of CPTCSA. Other methodologies include interactive lectures, demonstrations, guest speakers, role playing, video showing, and sharing of materials and experiences.

· The Module on Treatment of the Child Sexual Abuse Female Victim or Survivors (2nd Day)- This module will be on the treatment of the child sexual abuse female victim or survivors based on traumagenic dynamics of child sexual abuse, person-in-environment elements, individual and group methodologies, and samples for dealing with 10 of the most common issues these children and youth experience through counseling. Methodologies include interactive lectures, guest speakers, workshops, small group activities, role playing, video showing, and sharing of materials and experiences.

· The Module on Treating the Young Sexual Offender (3rd Day)- The module on treating the young sexual offender covers the person-in-environment variables that help create and proliferate sexual misbehavior in boys within patriarchy. Therapy issues include impulse control, building empathy, relapse prevention, anger management, and sexuality. Methodologies include interactive lectures, guest speakers, workshops, small group activities, role playing, video showing, and sharing of materials and experiences,

This 3 days workshop will have a minimal registration fee of Three Thousand Five Pesos (P3,500.00) to cover the kits, meals, certificate and Trainer’s cost.

For those interested, please text 09178651901 (Globe) or 09215883900 (smart) for pre-registration.

Looking Beyond the Heart

"How could my mother not look beyond what she can see in me?" That question personally struck me during one of my counseling sessions with Lela (name changed), a 14 year old young lady referred to me by her mother. From the first time I met Lela, I knew a beautiful young soul is there--waiting to break free despite of the resentments and the deep-seated anger. In each session, Lela's need to liberate from her mother's negative view of her became more and more obvious. Her words unconciously wanted to let her parents see beyond her appearance, wanting her to be accepted as a perfect potential who is slowly fulfilling itself perfectly.

In my many therapy and counseling sessions with teens and with parents as well, I personally observed that conflict seem to be a daily parenting challenge in teen-parent relationships. I dont know why many parents and/or treens instead of finding ways to manage their disagreements, they wait until problems become big..too huge that they cannot handle the conflict anymore--with one or two of them carrying extreme emotional baggages. Although its pretty inevitable for parents and teens not to have conflicts (developmentally--they are at different places!)--parents and children may find better communication skills and self-monitoring successful strategies to reduce feelings of anger and conflict. It should be noted that anger is like the mercury in a thermometer, when left unchecked the intensity of the emotion increases from frustration to anger and then to other things like rage and bitterness. In Lela's case--the mercury reached its highiest temperature recorded. I just hope that parents will do their best to try breaking barriers-- believing that by being there for their children and listening with empathy and love will help them look beyond their little misunderstandings. By showing interest in their feelings and opinions, even when they disagree, this will later help build trust and mutual respect.

Truly, parenting is a difficult ministry.Raising kids is indeed one of the toughest and most fulfilling jobs in the world — and the one for which many parents may feel the least prepared...but--with love and genuine care--parents are giving a valuable gift that will last a lifetime in their teen's life. Looking beyond the superficial will be a great leap!

Happy Parenting!

Going Gaga Over Yoga (part 2)

I had a breakfast meeting with the young and energetic yoga trainers of CYWTAC! Its nice to really meet up with friends. While savoring the tasty tapsilog, we talked about our plans of giving yoga workshop for kids---You see, when presented in a child's language, yoga can help counter the stress experienced of living in a hurry-up world...our children live in a hurry-up world of busy parents, school pressures, incessant lessons, video games, malls, and competitive sports. The bustling pace of our children's lives can have a profound effect on their innate joy—and usually not for the better. ..these i believe are current realities we cannot close our eyes as responsible adults. I discussed about dreaming to bring these workshop to both public and private schools in the province---although my trainers gave me a "wide eye reactions"!(as if they want to wake me up from dreaming!:))

I always believe that when children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and peaceful energy burning activity, they can navigate life's challenges with a little more ease. Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that's noncompetitive. Im talking about health yoga here---hatha yoga precisely where children will be taught relaxation techniques and the beauty of breathing in silence. With hatha yoga-- we can teach our so busy kids with--stillness, balance, flexibility, focus, peace, grace, connection, health, and well-being.

Maybe the tapsilog helped us so much because we ended our meeting with the same degree of passion--the fire to be able to wake up and discover that we both lived our dreams!

A Different Heart Beat

I always write about my recent trips and travel with friends--and I think it will not do justice to my most recent trip if I will not write anything about it. My days at Masbate were simply fabulous! Over and above the new places I discovered in that magnificient island (I always discover something new even if it's my 5th time to visit!), its the beautiful oppurtunity to meet new people and to deepen relationships with special friends--those factors made me rich again! (i'm just counting my blessings!)

I visited Masbate for some important matters (related to work) and of course--because of the fact that I will be visiting Angelo with Fr. Matthieu (a dear friend!)....

We visited Fazenda-a special catholic rehab center that is taking care of young drug and alcohol addicts by trying to show them a new way of life simply by living the gospel each day. The farm was nice and really beautiful! More than the place--I was truly happy meeting Angelo...Even if I just met him once--I knew he evolved beautifully as a person with the help of Tulay and Fazenda. With Angelo--I was reminded not to lose hope on people-especially on children and never to underestimate their capability for metamorphosis.

Another milestone was the fact that finally---after so much prodding--Fr. Matthieu came to Bicol and saw the province of culture and beauty. My travel time and experiences with this very nice, appreciative and truly deep man will truly be remembered.

I will always remember my funny experience at the boat (jet ski feeling!), the long walk at fazenda (as in very long walk at the farm!), the walk at the city proper--the lunch date with Wenter (truly nice friend!) and the long wait for the plane (although I lost in the countdown :)--Father Matthieu had the last laugh!:), And wait... can't forget the mega-exercise at Lingon Hill! Oh--I started missing my daily walks! and of course, the company of friends!

"There is an energy field between humans. And, when we reach out in passion, it is met with an answering passion and changes the relationship forever"--Rollo May

Kiko

Last night, I attended the simple yet beautiful despedida party for a dear friend--KIKO. Kiks as his friends fondly call him, will leave for the US to finally finish his amazing calling for religious life. One of our common friend told me how kiks will be missed---his shy smile, his "always" sympathetic eyes and his genuine friendship....I couldn't protest but agree...KIKO proved to be a beautiful and genuine person inside and out. His amazing way of making each of his friends so accepted and valuable made him so close to our hearts. Honestly--I feel mix emotions for him--I'm sad that he will be so far away to us ---we will miss our outings together---the long talks about his plans, the san mig light moments, his struggles, the warmth of his friendship and his excellent dancing skills (pag lasing sya lalo na!)...but at the same time---I am happy for him...he finally got the blessing he's been praying for. Kiko's journey to his vocation taught me one thing though--that vocation is a very simple thing on one hand and yet quite complex on another--and the most important of all though is the fact that when YOU ARE TRULY CALLED TO SERVE GOD--HE WILL TRULY MAKE A WAY---be it through straight directional route or the long and hard way. For Kik's it was through the long--painful--hard--truly hard--way. Despite of all these dificult times--Kiko must have been very blessed because ---I was amazed at his tranquility despite of his sufferings, reverses and difficult moments. In a way, I discovered a call within myself and found it re-echoed in this article...Kik's showed me the benefits of tranquility in the middle of spiritual chaos. Kiko--the strong willed man with the fire to serve--showed that to me.

So to my dear friend kik's--always remember that failure is never final, so---do not stop your efforts until your victory makes a history!

Thanks my dear friend for the beautiful years spent genuinely for me and your friends...I know you're in safe hands---I am looking forward to visiting you in the next coming years!

My Life as a Teacher

In some of my "sentimental moments" i would at times ask why I chose to be a teacher. I've been to industrial settings, clinical institutions--but in the end--I would always go back to the teaching profession. Sometimes I would think that maybe teaching is in my blood (genetically predispposed to be a teacher) or maybe--because there is something I internally get in teaching. Or is it because--teaching is not just something I enjoy doing--maybe its who I am....

Honestly--teaching is a difficult job...I don't get the financial security my friends get in the corporate world...you have to have huge patience for your students....understanding for those "older than you" students who would underestimates what you can do as a teacher.....and not to mention the many bulk of work that awaits you (lesson plans, classroom activities, etc...)...believe me--its a tough job....

As i write this entry--I cant help but ask myself again--what made me choose this profession? (I could have concentrated on my wellness center or embrace my work as trainer and enjoy the travel perks---but in the end---I always find myself inside the classroom!). It´s a job you cannot imagine what comes next.

Is it because...

I am passionate about applied psychology? or because I love working with young adults? or is it because I believe that teaching is a way to make a difference?

Well, I dont know---maybe the reasons above are true--but what I know is the fact that in teaching I get genuine happiness despite of the difficulties it carries. It is indeed important to connect and reconnect with my purpose as I continue to reflect why I chose this profession--but what I am feeling in this kind of calling is even more important. My life as a teacher has made me very rich--rich in generosity, in friends and in wisdom. In one of my readings---Bob Dylan quotation clearly captured my life as a teacher--he once said "A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do." That's what I am doing now---and I am proud to be a teacher!

THe DeAtH oF a sTaR!

I am not a die-hard follower of Michael Jackson--but I can honestly admit that I love his music! There was no denying his talent. MJ combined the beauty of pop music and rhytym and blues.Despite his surreal personal life, lurid legal scandals, serial plastic surgeries and erratic public behavior---I wanted to look at MJ as an artist and a songwriter. MJ as a singer, songwriter, dancer and celebrity icon is a musical reality the world cannot deny. I would be a high breed hypocrit if I will not admit that everybody knew Michael Jackson (from the class A to D to the prisoners). Everyone had watched him perform, sang his songs (remember the thriller fever?!), tried to dance with his music and, yes, everyone was collectively aghast by much of his recent behavior. But let's face it---MJ is MJ and he is a part of our music world. For his legions of fans, he was the Peter Pan of pop music: the little boy who refused to grow up----but magically captured the hearts of millions through his music. MJ became more a character than singer: his sequined glove, his whitened face, his moonwalk dance move became embedded in the cultural firmament--everything made MJ a total unique performer--not ashamed to show who he wanted to become. MJ was constantly in the process of BECOMING!

I asked myself after MJ's death--in what dimension will MJ be remembered? With all honesty--I want to remember him as the unsurpassed entertainer, the gifted and driven song-and-dance artist who wielded rhythm, melody, texture and image to create and promote love and peace in his art....MJ's life even his death stayed remote, styled, rehearsed and choreographed.

To a total performer---may you rest in peace! May your music reach high heavens!