My Kenya Adventure Part 3

Sept 3-The convention ended very very well. In the evening of Sept 3--the family of Eunice invited me to have dinner with them. It was a very nice dinner from a very accomodating kenyan family. My love for Kenya even went deeper when I met this wonderful family. All of them were so accomodating and warm. I wish I could visit them again soon.

Sept 4- In the morning of sept 4, Merab dropped by at my hotel to pick me up for her school (Muslim School for GIrls). The school was wonderful and the people--they are also the best! The faculty and the personnel were all equally warm and welcoming. truly--they proved to me that kenyans are naturally warm people! When I went back to my hotel---Diana was there to see me before going to the airport. We had a nice chat and tea at the rooftop of khweza!She was a nice nice lady with so much love for her people. I cant wait to collaborate with her soon.

William picked me up a little over twelve to bring me to the airport. The process at the airport was quiet "unfriendly" but nevertheless it was a nice and wonderful experience. After 5 hours, Im back at Doha and back to the Philippines.

My kenya adventure was worth it! it was a life changing experience. I gained not only travel memories but more than that--i gained so many friends whom i will hold dearly in my heart forever!

My Kenya Adventure Part 2 (For 1st time readers start with the 1st part of my story!)

Sept. 30, 2009, 8AM-I boarded the plane for Nairobi, Kenya. I knew it was another long plane ride but I was too excited to count the hours. I met varieties of nationalities on that trip—but it wasn’t reassuring enough to feel that I was the only asian in the trip. The five hours air travel was fun—as I excitedly view the Africa skyline—I felt a strong feeling of homesickness. I knew my homesickness was even more fueled by the fact that I was traveling alone—into the unknown place I couldn’t even imagine traveling by myself. After a long flight—I finally arrived in one of the countries of east Africa. The excitement to experience the magical Kenya and the strong anxiety sipped through my veins when I presented myself in the immigration officer of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The immigration process proved to be easier though. Finally I met the driver assigned to me by the Kenya Association of Professional Counselor (KAPC), the organizing committee of the convention. William (the driver) proved to be a safe driver despite of the terrible driving culture of Kenya. He brought me immediately to my chosen bed and breakfast hotel—KHWEZA. After arriving at Khweza and meeting Sally (the owner and the manager), I knew I did the right choice. The place was proved to be best place for a solo traveler like me. The wonderful people (Peggy, Judith and the rest) of khweza made my stay truly memorable. Nairobi temperature was cold but the warmth of the people at khweza made the atmosphere so manageable. I learned then to really believe in the saying that “in traveling—believe your intuition”. I certainly did that when I chose khweza! I knew I made the right decision.

August 31-After a nice breakfast at the rooftop of khweza, I decided to explore what Nairobi can offer. William picked me up and brought me to KAPC office. I felt that I have to at least have my courtesy call to the organizer. There—I met most of the KAPC people. Anne toured me around the campus. After which, I decided to proceed with my itineraries for the day. My first stop was the MASSAI Market and the Sarit Center. My shopping spree at Massai was truly fun although I found the vendors too aggressive. But at least I got pretty good bargain! I found the Sarit center too commercialized though. Visiting the Village Market was fun too although I was delighted to have bought most of my “pasalubongs” at the massai market. Village Market was too high-end for me. My brief visit at the Nairobi National Park was enough to appreciate the culture and history of this great country. MY day ended with my quick tour of the Nairobi National Park where I personally had first view of really cool safari animals. Too bad I was traveling aone and there was no one to take my pictures with the animals.

Sept.1- The first day of the convention at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. I was set to present in the afternoon and was truly excited to finally share what I have been doing in the Philippines. My strong conviction to conquer the hearts of the Kenyans gave me the strength to face everything, I knew then that I was alone, I had no support system to lean on—but I have to do it! I knew I would be bringing not only my name but even the dreams of my family and my country. I don’t have the right to evaluate my own presentation but the indicators shown to me by the Kenyans and the other foreign delegates made me so proud of myself and my country. I knew I did well when I received numerous congratulatory remarks after my presentation. The curiosity of the delegates about me and the Philippines grew intensely though after that day. That was the start of my total immersion to the hearts of the Kenyans.

Sept.2-3. I basically spent most of the two days attending the convention. But as the two remaining days came—I became totally in love with the kindness, intelligence, warmth and genuineness of the Kenyans and African people. Although I struggled to understand their official language, Kiswahili, but the ability of the Kenyans to speak really good English made everything easier.

To Be Continued! Please watch out for my next story!

My Kenya Adventure

Sept. 29, 2009, I left for Nairobi, Kenya. Yes, it was my first trip to the continent of Africa and I remember being too excited to venture out to one of my dream lands. I took the famous 5 star airline (Qatar airline) and was patient enough to sit down along the window for 5 hours bound for Doha, Qatar. I was amazed by the very hot temperature when I arrived at Doha (that’s why its in the middle east!). The long wait for my flight to Nairobi was agonizing! Staying awake and kicking for ten hours proved to be very difficult…really, it was. But as I sit down on the waiting lounge of the Doha International Airport—I discovered the true meaning of affiliation—I met so many Filipinos also waiting for their flights. Truly, Filipinos bond when they are in foreign lands. I met this really nice young lady, outspoken and active who was bound for Tunizia, Italy. She narrated out of trust all her plans, her hardships (for leaving her children) and her marital problems. I also met this amazing OFW who shared about his “Napakasakit Kuya Eddie” type of story. His wife apparently left him for another man while he was in the middle east working his spirit out. Admirable too were the group of Filipino young men who were bound for Nigeria for a six months construction work. Not knowing what will lie ahead of them after six months—they took the courage and the guts to leave for Africa. One OFW even shared to me how he struggled to raise $75 (US Dollars) for his baon. And of course, Tita Rose who was bound for Paris. She is a resident now in the land of fashion trying to live her life alone (she apparently forgot to get married because of her being the breadwinner of the family). As I listen to their life stories, I suddenly felt the emotional struggle of our OFW’s. I saw in their eyes varieties of emotions…so deep and so pressing…. We separated after a long wait forgetting even to get our contact addresses or numbers. Although I knew we would all survive---but—that encounter truly made me appreciate our OFW’s…despite of the hardships and the difficulties—their love for their families overpowers everything. I just hope that one day---our kababayans will not have to leave the country and suffer so much just to provide a decent life for their families.

To be continued! watch out for my diary about my kenya adventure!

Training on the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual ABuse (part 2)

THANKS TO THE PARTICIPANTS AND CHARISMA!

My Dumaguete Adventure

Visiting Dumaguete is a rare chance! Thanks to DWCL for sponsoring my trip. My 4 days at Dumaguete were big deal to me--personally! Well, the visit was more of a pleasure and pressure trip! I attended the 46th Annual Convention of the Psychological Association of the Philippines and presented my research too!. But more than the pressure of talking about what you worked on to psychology "bigwigs" in the country--its the experience of visiting this beautiful place that matters most to me!

Right in the heart of Dumaguete City is the internationally recognized Silliman University---I loved the laid back life at Silliman. Students seem to be carefree and stress-free. The huge area of Silliman campus are dotted with full grown giant acacia trees. It has a state of the art auditorium for cultural shows & concerts (the Luce Auditorium), a museum, a beautiful library, an Olympic size swimming pool, archery range, tennis and pelota courts, football field, gym, chapels, a Protestant church, cafeteria, dormitories and faculty houses right within the university premises. Silliman is truly a place to visit when in Dumaguete--not to mention the strip of wide beachfront promenade (perfect for reflection when you get a failing mark!).

One cannot simply miss the Rizal Boulevard when in Dumaguete City. Walking along the baywalk in the evening is a memorable experience (especially if you have your "romantic partner" with you! :). The bell tower of St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral was also a sight to see (especially in the evening!). The accomodation of the C & L Suite were simply amazing! Their tapsilog was simply sumptous! Cheap accomodation but the warm hospitality is simply awesome! A must have in Dumaguete is a pair of "ukay" shoe from their evening market--i'm sure Richard and Dexter will cry in despair if they saw this tempting picture!

Truly--Dumaguete is a must to visit in the Philippines!Can't wait to go back and just enjoy the beauty of this pearl!

Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes eight different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. These intelligences are:



Linguistic intelligence ("word smart"):
Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
Musical intelligence ("music smart")
Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

Dr. Gardner says that our schools and culture focus most of their attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. We esteem the highly articulate or logical people of our culture. However, Dr. Gardner says that we should also place equal attention on individuals who show gifts in the other intelligences: the artists, architects, musicians, naturalists, designers, dancers, therapists, entrepreneurs, and others who enrich the world in which we live.

So how can teachers apply MI in their classroom activities:

Verbal-Linguistic

choral speaking
declarizing
storytelling
retelling
speaking
debating
presenting
reading aloud
dramatizing
book making
nonfiction reading
researching
listening
process writing
writing journals

Logical-Mathematical

problem solving
measuring
coding
sequencing
critical thinking
predicting
playing logic games
collecting data
experimenting
solving puzzles
classifying
using manipulatives
learning the scientific model
using money
using geometry

Visual-Spatial

graphing
photographing
making visual metaphors
making visual analogies
mapping stories
making 3D projects
painting
illustrating
using charts
using organizers
visualizing
sketching
patterning
visual puzzles

Bodily-Kinesthetic

hands on experiments
activities
changing room arrangement
creative movement
going on field trips
physical education activities
crafts
dramatizing
using cooperative groups
dancing

Musical

humming
rapping
playing background music
patterns
form
playing instruments
tapping out poetic rhythms
rhyming
singing

Interpersonal

classroom parties
peer editing
cooperative learning
sharing
group work
forming clubs
peer teaching
social awareness
conflict mediation
discussing
cross age tutoring
study group
brainstorming

Intrapersonal

personal response
individual study
personal goal setting
individual projects
journal log keeping
personal choice in projects
independent reading

Naturalistic

reading outside
cloud watching
identifying insects
building habitats
identifying plants
using a microscope
dissecting
going on a nature walk
build a garden
studying the stars
bird watching
collecting rocks
making bird feeders
going to the zoo

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!