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April 09, 2015

Your Tutorial Center Launches Summer K-12 Bridging Programs

March 30, 2015

"The world is undergoing unprecedented changes brought about by rapid advancement in information and communication technologies, trade liberalization, globalization."

– UNESCO, 2010

Change is inevitable and adapting to change is another thing. In its pursuit to improve the Philippine education system, the Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented a major education reform known as the K-12 Curriculum.

The education program includes mandatory preschool education for five-year old children before entering the six-year elementary school as well as going through additional two years in high school or secondary education. Aside from this new structure, the medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3 will now be mother tongue-based. This means that the K to 12 student will be taught the core learning areas using his first language. The National Achievement Test, popularly known as NAT, will still be administered as an end-of-Grade 6 assessment but this time will serve both as an exit examination from elementary and entrance examination for Grade 7. Grade 10 students will also go through an assessment to qualify for senior high school and their chosen track. The end of Grade 12 examination will not only be the end of K to 12 exam but also serve as entrance exam for university.

These significant changes, initially, may be difficult for kids. As parents, there are a number of things to help your child or teen to prepare and embrace this transition. Parents can help their child to mentally organize and emotionally process the child's feelings such as fear of the unknown. By being a support system to your teens, you could help them cope with "anticipatory change jitters." Aside from these tips, there are private educational sectors who can also help you and you kids adapt to the new K to 12 curriculum.

“This is not a perfect curriculum. There is much for us to work on. There will be learning curves that we will need to meet and challenges to be resolved. But with everyone’s help, we will be able to roll out the program that we can keep improving over the next couple of years.”

-Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC Deped Secretary

Your Tutorial Center (YTC) is a 3-in-1 education center which offers Tutorial, Review and Language programs. YTC primarily provides ACADEMIC TUTORIAL programs from preschool to college all throughout the year.

This summer, YTC will be offering bridging programs focusing on developing and strengthening the coping skills of kindergarten until grade 10 students in order to smoothly transition from the old to the new curriculum.

"Aside from the basic literacy tools of reading, writing and numeracy, tomorrow’s individuals will need them knowledge and skills that will equip them to participate productively in their societies. "

– ADB 2008

YTC is one with the K-12 curriculum to produce Filipino graduates who are holistically-developed with 21st century skills through its program and services geared to prepare kids and teen for higher education, middle-level skills development and entrepreneurship.

Check www.yourtutorialcenter.com or call any YTC branch for more information on Summer K-12 Bridging Programs.

Learn Ballet from Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja- Elizalde

March 28, 2015

Nothing beats learning from the expert. When it comes to classical ballet, no one could ever surpass the achievements of Lisa Macuja- Elizalde.

Lisa started taking lessons in ballet at age 8. She would later become a scholar at the Vaganova Choreographic Institute also known as the Academy of Russian Ballet at Saint Petersburg, Russia. She is the first foreigner to join Russia's Kirov Ballet.

Lisa was the first artist-in-residence of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and in 1995 she established her very own company, Ballet Manila. The company recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary.

In 2014, Lisa celebrated 30 graceful years of stunning ballet performances. She has happily retired from performing and is now focused on mentoring future ballerinas as Directress of the School of Ballet Manila. Lisa's school is the only Philippine ballet school directly associated with the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia.

"What makes us different from other companies is our commitment to the highest standards of classical ballet based on our Russian Vaganova roots," Lisa explains.

One of the main training techniques of classical ballet, the distinct characteristic of this style is the ballerina's flexible shoulder motion as each step is executed. Other dancers simply move with "square" shoulders.

"The Vaganova method involves the entire body. Arms, legs and torso move in perfect harmony. Dancers trained by this method jump higher and do powerful turns. The technique require dancers to remain in the air for a long time, as if they are floating," she said.

If your children are showing interest in dance, why not send them to ballet classes during the summer vacation? Ballet Manila offers several novel and fun programs for young and talented dancers. Apart from the basics of the dance art, the classes follow a holistic approach by including fun activities for a more engaging summer endeavor.

For example, apart from ballet techniques taught in the baby ballet class, the students learn to play musical instruments and create props using fabrics. The intensive dance exercises in the intermediate class is combined with street dance, yoga and pilates. There will also be lectures on injury prevention, film screening about ballet and inter-active workshops with theater artists.

Ballet Manila’s summer intensive program is composed of the following classes:

Maria Ballerina

The Maria Ballerina Class is for students from 3-5 years old. They will learn proper ballet techniques, develop motor skills, coordination, rhythm and musicality. The students will also work with fabrics, props and musical instruments for a more enhanced learning experience.

Fairy Tale Ballet

The Fairy Tale Ballet Class with Tap and Tumble is for students ages 6-8. Combined with magical fairy tale dances and stories, students learn to appreciate self-control, joy in movement, body awareness, rhythm, musicality along with the structure of classical ballet. It also includes classes in Tap Dance, Tumbling and Gymnastics for musicality and rhythm development.

Beginner

Beginner Ballet Class is for young dancers ages 7-12 with no or limited ballet experience or training. The springboard course for classical ballet, aside from basic movements, concepts of rhythm, space, direction and music patterns are reinforced.

Intermediate

The Intermediate level is for students ages 12-14 open to boys and girls with previous ballet training. The classes include advanced barre work, intensive exercises and combinations, partnering and classical variations. The students will also learn street dance, yoga, pilates plus enrichment workshops to boost their dance appreciation.

Advanced

The Advance Level is for ages 14 years old and above with several years of ballet training. Also known as the pre-professional level, aside from the more complicated exercises and dance combinations it covers repertoire and variation learning which encourage students to become more expressive. The program includes additional classes in modern and contemporary dances like street dance, yoga and pilates, secondary classes in ballet technique and partnering and enrichment workshops.

Adult Classes

One is never too old to pursue a passion. Ballet Manila also offers classes for the young at heart. The adult ballet classes accept students who are willing to learn, including those minimal or zero dance background.

The summer workshop will run from April 6 - May 31; with enrollment ongoing until April 19. All participants will be part of the summer recital on May 31 at the Aliw Theater, where students will have a chance to perform alongside senior Ballet Manila dancers.

Ballet Manila is located at 1915 Donada Street, Pasay City and has a satellite school in Crossfit Halcyon in Fisher Mall.

Interested parties may enroll at Ticketworld outlets or via www.ticketworld.com.ph. All BPI credit card holders are entitled to an exclusive 20-25% discount off tuition fees.

For inquiries, email info@balletmanila.com.ph or call (+632) 400 0292 and (+632) 525 5967.

Must Have Stroller Accessories by Stella

March 24, 2015

There is no doubt that strollers are an essential part of any parent. If you are planning to travel, walk and move around places with your child/children there is no doubt that these strollers come in very handy and today they are becoming indispensable appliance for many parents. They go a long way in keeping the baby safe especially when parents have to traverse long distances. However, it has to be borne in mind that almost all accessories come only with bare minimum fixtures and fittings. Hence, it is important to have a clear understanding about some must have stroller accessories to make the best us of the appliances and get full value for money.

The list is quite big, but we will try and have a look at the ones that are considered very important and essential. Car seat adapter is an important accessory that we must always keep in mind. The stroller must have adapters failing which it might be difficult to travel in a car. Each stroller needs a different type of adapter and therefore you should do some research and gather the right information so that you choose the ideal adapter.

It is quite possible that while on the move with your child on the stroller, you may need to talk on the mobile phone. Therefore, it is not a bad idea to have a mobile phone holder in the stroller that you are buying for your child. Many stroller makers also sell stroller organizers and these are also accessories worth having a look at. They help to store various things in the stroller in an efficient and scientific way. It helps stores important items like umbrellas, diapers, toys, etc. However these accessories should be light and should not add significantly to the weight of the strollers.

It is also important to go in for hangers in your strollers They are very useful for keeping small things like bags, grocery items, purses and so on. They come in handy and help you to move freely with your hands rather than trying to manage too many things at a time. Water bottles and snacks are also important items that you would like to carry when you are using a stroller. Hence you must look for snack and water bottle holders and have them affixed on your stroller for obvious reasons. The above is just a small list and there are many other accessories that could also be thought of.

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About the Author

Stella loves writing about baby care products and safety, currently she is working as a guest post author for Double Stroller HQ.

Healthy Tips that will Boost Your Skincare Routine by Edna Thomson

March 24, 2015

It can be pretty confusing to know which skincare products work and what will get you that glowing skin. The Internet is bustling with skincare tips and advice, but which one will really do the trick? This guide attempts to narrow down the most important tips to boost your skincare routine so that you have a beautiful skin. Take a look.

Source: Pixabay

Clean Your Face Twice a Day

Clean your face first thing in the morning and right before bed. No matter if you use makeup or not, your skin collects plenty of dirt during the day. It happens when you touch your face with your dirty hands, if you smoke or if you hang around people who smoke. The air itself is quite polluted already and just makes things worse.

How do you clean your face properly? First off, don't forget to wash your hands. You don't want to spread more germs to your skin. Then splash warm water on your face to open up the pores. Take your everyday cleanser and apply it on your skin. Depending on its type, you either have to let it sit or wash it away instantly. So rub gently using circular motions and rinse with lukewarm water. Remember to wash everything. When you are done, towel dry your face.

Use Mild Soap and Body Lotion

There are a variety of bath and body products that guarantee your skin will become better. But not all of them will really do the trick. Try to avoid products that contain harsh chemicals, as all they do is dry your skin. When you buy a new treatment, always look out for signals that your body may be intolerant of said product. Once you notice something is wrong, reconsider using the treatment.

Use Gentle Products

The gentler the cosmetics, the better for your skin. As already explained above, you can clean your face with mild products. It's not like you've been living in the woods for years with nothing. There is no need for harsh cleansers, as they can do more harm than good. Unless you have a problem skin or none of the gentle cleansing products work for you, it is not advisable that you use harsh treatments. Skin is very sensitive and anything too harsh may leave it itchy, dry and even flaky.

Mind you that organic products can irritate your skin as well. Just because it says “natural” doesn't mean it's going to be good for you. Again, you need to pick a treatment that is best for your skin.

Keep it Simple

The more products you use, the worse for you. There is really no need to use dozens of cleaners just to make sure you have clean skin. One treatment will obtain the same results, whereas using too many different products may damage your skin. If you use a shampoo and conditioner, reduce applying hair masks to once or twice a month. Use one moisturizer you know works best for your skin. Before you go out, simply wash you face and apply jojoba oil or another product you know is effective. There is no need to do anything else to keep your skin fresh during the day.

Keep the Air in Your Bedroom Moist

Every time you go to bed, make sure to keep the air you breathe moisturized. Either keep a window open all night long if the weather permits or run a humidifier. It's difficult to breathe when the air is dry. Sometimes you wake up with a dry throat and stuffy nose and a feeling you might be getting sick, but most of the time this is a result of dry air and insufficient levels of oxygen. Keeping the air moist will prevent this as well as soothe your dry or itchy skin.

The article is presented by SparklingCarpets Abbey Wood

Written by Miss Edna Thomson

Sound Kaleidoscope: A One of a Kind Concert Experience

March 13, 2015

A few days before Valentine's Day, I won two Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Sound Kaleidoscope concert tickets from Lotus Biscoff and Certified Bloggers. It was the first raffle that I won this year! Having no winner's luck was not an excuse! Those tickets were really meant for me. I was so lucky!

Instead of me watching with Papa to make it as our Valentine's date, I decided to make it as a Father and Son Date instead. I was so sure that Kuya would really appreciate it. He had no experience watching concerts or stage plays at Cultural Center of the Philippines. Exposure to an orchestra concert would also give him more inspiration to pursue his passion in playing drums. By the way, he is currently a member of his school orchestra where he plays other percussion instruments aside from drums.

Watching the concert would surely make Kuya very, very happy. Papa deserved to unwind too. He's been stressed out due to the demands of his further studies and work. It would be a breather for him.

As instructed by Mommy Sol Razo, the Head Administrator of Certified Bloggers, my boys claimed the tickets from Miss Christine Reyes at the Lotus Biscoff booth on February 13, the day of the concert itself.

Papa said that Kuya's eyes were twinkling as they entered the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). They were escorted right in front of the stage where Kuya saw his orchestra instructor who was about to perform with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He was so delighted to see him. It made him more excited to witness the show!

What they watched was CONCERT 6. Olivier Ochanine, music director and principal conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, led the orchestra in performing the works of Sibelius, Dvorak and Haydn. Pei-Sian Ng, principal cellist of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra was guest soloist.

It was indeed a night to remember. Papa and Kuya went home with lots of stories to tell and fond memories to keep. They were oozing with good vibes! They enjoyed and loved the concert so much!

They said that the long trip was worth it. They also told me to encourage you to watch either of the two remaining Sound Kaleidoscope concerts:

CONCERT 7

March 20, 2015 | Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

Yoshikazu Fukumura, Conductor

Rossini: Overture to Semiramide

Haydn: Symphony No. 82 ("The Bear")

Ravel: Ma Mere l'Oye

CONCERT 8

April 24, 2015 | Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

Part- Fratres

Buenaventura- Mindanao Sketches

Ravel- El Alborado del Gracioso

Respighi- Pini di Roma

Tickets are very affordable for such a world class concert. Ticket prices are PHP1,500/ 1,200/ 800/ 500/ 400/ 300. For inquiries and subscriptions, please call the CCP Marketing Department (832-1125 loc. 1804), the CCP Box Office (832-3704), or Ticket World at National Bookstore (891-9999). Discounts and subscriptions available for students, senior citizens, and groups.

The two boys guaranteed that you'd enjoy the concert as much as they did!

Source

Thank you, Lotus Biscoff and Certified Bloggers, for this wonderful opportunity!

MILO Drinkers Bond Love Chocomaltee Goodness

Your Tutorial Center Launches Summer K-12 Bridging Programs

Learn Ballet from Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja- Elizalde

Must Have Stroller Accessories by Stella

Healthy Tips that will Boost Your Skincare Routine by Edna Thomson

Sound Kaleidoscope: A One of a Kind Concert Experience

SJ Valdez

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