Homeschooling: Lesson 38 - Mothers, More Fewer Less Few, Rhymes, Directions

Covered topics / activities for today:

• Mothers
• More 
• Fewer 
• Less 
• Few
• Rhymes
• Directions
• Sing a Song of Sixpence
• Lacing

He is drawing "me" after our Mothers and their Occupations discussion. I asked him what my work was and he said I'm a teacher. :)

This part was really challenging - more, fewer, more, less, plenty, few. I will have to discuss this again with him.

Following directions to color the house.

Putting the Fit a Space together after I had him lace it. He finished so fast with the lacing.

The Dreaded Black Screen of "No Approved Therapeutic Claims"

"Spot the Similarities" - We do this in our pre-kinder classes. It helps pave the way to identifying letters and words. David loves doing this so I guess it is fun to do the same with this.

Let's try this exercise with these two commercials:

Liveraide

Fitrum

If you answered "movie stars", you only got that half correct. And yes, I know both Robin Padilla and Judy Ann Santos starred in " Jeannie... Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang" - a movie that, thank goodness, I have not seen since seeing a single scene of that movie might make you want to unsee even if they still look tolerable in this film.

Unfortunately, that is not the similarity we were looking for.

Instead, I was hoping you would point this out --

The Dreaded Black Screen 

of "No Approved Therapeutic Claims"

It is a coincidence that someone on my Facebook contacted me and promoted a certain health drink that is using the same phrase. I have been quick to research and found out that it's a product of an MLM company. I have been burned before with MLM (funny, it's the same company I loathed) and as such, am not such a fan of MLMs and their products.

This phrase is applicable for pre-May 2010 commercials because as of May 2010, the rules have changed as per Department of Health's command under Secratary Esperanza Cabral (I'm loving this secretary!)

As this article from Manila Standard Today pointed out, the phrase is described as "perfunctory and vague". Who would even think that after all the hype and marketing -- cool looking movie stars and glamorous "this is my moment"  catch phrase -- it would end with a less than one second flashing of a phrase like that.

It's not like we, consumers, did not see this. We are aware of such. What I can say is the impact is not as hard as the whole 30 sec commercial of a product that you would really want either for you or an ailing family member.

Back to the article, it mentioned that changes have been made:

Instead of:

"No Approved Therapeutic Claims"

You should now be seeing:

“Important notice: The product is not medicine and is not to be used for treating diseases.” 

Translated into Filipino:

“Mahalagang paalaala: Ang (name of product) ay hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit.” 

“Wastong nutrisyon at regular na ehersisyo ang pinakamainam na pagpapanatili ng kalusugan (Proper nutrition and regular exercise are still the best ways to ensure overall health.)”

Ms. Janette Toral pointed out on her recent article that these "new and improved" phrase changed by the Department of Health will deem  a challenge for these health supplement companies.

How will they fare and how will they take on the challenge of online marketing even with the phrase changes? This same concern has been pointed out in another article.

Creative, viral and guerilla tactics is needed to give these products a boost after the attack of the Department of Health. Stay tuned and let's watch them and their moves.

Homeschooling: Lesson 37 - Family, Mr. Nobody, Riddles

Covered topics / activities for today:

• Family
• Drawing the Family
• Mr. Nobody
• Solving Riddles
• Making Riddles

Discussion of Families

Drawing his own Family picture

Then he decided to make another picture of his family but this time, we are all swimming in the sea.

Our family picture 

Sensory imagery exercise for sense of smell

Extra drawing session

Homeschooling: Lesson 36 - Homes and Families, Some All Whole Part, Finger Play

Covered topics / activities for today

• Homes and Families
• Some
• All 
• Whole 
• Part
• Finger Play
• Story Sequencing
• Finger Plays

Since we cannot discuss the lessons 31-35 yet, we proceeded with this lesson.

We won't outside to see our own home for the homes and families discussion. Dabby pointed out the bushes and trees around the place.

We have been renting here for 3 years now. Yes, we should have our own house but we have not even decided yet if we'll stay in Iligan or Cebu.

Dabby is drawing our home here.

Doesn't look like one though. I encouraged him to use shapes but he was having fun with his version.

Some All Whole Part discussion using cubes and a whole banana.

Henny Penny!

After the other topics were covered, I had him color his house.

..

Also made a house from his colored Popsicle sticks.

Homeschooling: Lesson 30 - Sense of Smell, Pony, Gluing

Covered topics / activities for today:

• Smelling
• The Little Gray Pony
• Sensory Imagery
• Creating Pictures and Gluing
• Warm, Hot, Cold

At the start of class, we have a routine of spelling his name and dots counting. Today, he decided that he would be the one to make the dots.

Fun smelling activity. Here he is smelling the freshly opened banana.

We loved the rhymes on the Little Gray Pony about his lost horseshoe.

Cutting the shapes from paper

Making a house from the shapes.

Looks like he really formed his house here.

Proceeding to glue the pieces on paper. This time he wanted to make a train from the shapes.

David's Train

Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort Celebrates 21st Anniversary

At July 21, 2010, Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort celebrated its 21st anniversary in a celebration aptly named "Coming Together at 21".

It was a fun night of dancing, music and good food dedicated to celebrate 21 years of service and an event of recognition for the Maribago Bluewater's top producers and suppliers, including the recognition of pioneering employees of the resort.

Dabby and I arrived at 5:45 PM and we were greeted by the friendly staff of the resort. I registered and was ushered inside for pica-pica (cocktails). Unfortunately, I picked up an alcoholic drink and had to exchange it for another. I wouldn't want to get the party started sooner if I got drunk lol.

The place was lavishly and beautifully decorated. The band and dancers were up and about with their routines as the guests poured in clad in hues and accessories of blue (the motif of the celebration). It was a really grand occasion.

We took a quick stroll at the beachfront of the resort as the little kiddo was really stoked upon seeing the beach and sand.

Cebu Foto-booth was also there to provide picture souvenirs so of course we had our picture taken.

The program started with a moving invocation which was a video of "Who Am I?". The National Anthem made Dabby memorize the Lupang Hinarang more. He likes it.

Welcome remarks were made by Consul Arcadio Alegrado, Chairman of the Board. He extended his welcome and thanks to the suppliers, producers, the employees and the guests of the event in behalf of his wife and children who are now running the resort when he retired.

Mr. Rhyz Buac, General Manager, made an Audio-Visual Presentation called "Moving Forward". It showcased the humble roots of Maribago Bluewater evolving from a simple beach property into a lush paradise - a premier destination in Cebu.

"People is our brand", he stated. The resort started with just 40 employees and now employ more than 350. He continued on updates of renovations and improvements made, their brand expansion which now includes:

• Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
• Panglao Bluewater Beach Resort (opens in 2011)

Together with their sister company they also have Almont Hotel and Resorts in Northern Mindanao.

The resort also wants to strengthen their "Blue Goes Green" program n order to preserve the environment and conserve water resources.

 

The General Manager closed by saying: "At 21, we feel all the pieces and all the partners are coming together to make a stronger and more successful Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort."

The program continued with the recognition of employees, suppliers and top producers of the resort. Dinner buffet was then served and raffle prizes were given away.

By the way, their press kits were so beautifully made out of abaca. 

Check out Maribago Bluewater Resort's offerings for July - September 2010: