Of Homework and Child Beauty Pageants

A hot issue on Facebook:

Mater Carmeli School, what is your Grade 3 Computer Teacher teaching my baby brother?

An overzealous stagemom-teacher's mistake may have lifelong repercussions on her career, teaching license and daughter. But just the same the blogger was spot on, on calling her out for giving this mandatory assignment to her students. Yeah, how very unprofessional of her.

Which brings back memories of college professors selling campus concert tickets or org movie tickets, a mandatory move which had an impact on our grades every semester (and this treatment, we regularly got from our pontifical university). When and how this practice became socially and cuturally acceptable- I don't know? But it has been around since I can remember.

I don't understand why it is acceptable in our culture to have pageants like these- where you have to buy tickets or votes to win- talent is never enough, ey? I remember as a kid, this vote based or "ticket-sales" pageants are often organized by the comunity Church for their charities and yearly Santacruzans. Okay so now its on Facebook and everyone you know can take a vote. But I think the main issue here is that stagemom-teacher went overboard and broke a lot of laws in the process by shoving such an assignment down her students throats. But after the issue dies down, the teacher will always have her name associated with this, goodluck with her on getting a job and supporting her kids. Blogger wins with maximum damage. Blogger's brother though might as well shift schools, lest he becomes some sort of pariah among his young peers (who might not yet understand why their computer teacher got hell from the nuns running the school).

As for the teacher who was on a FB high getting points for her pageant princess, I pity her really. From what I've read from her online apology, for a computer teacher she's not that net savvy to begin with. I agree with one commenter, n00b nga ang lolabels. So does her mistake equal the punishment and online backlash coming her way? Some already want her head on a spike. After all, if the mess becomes massive and viral, all of the students from this school would feel the sting of their school's tarnished image.

11/11/11

Almost there.



Would I make it to the strangest due date ever? Maybe? but I'm not counting on it.

My Ob-Gyne wants my baby out much earlier, but I haven't locked any CS dates just yet. There is a question of cost and I mean huge inflation on preggy packages this year, 7 years ago the last time I gave birth it seems birthing costs were much more reasonable. Then there's the question of work and schedules and projects put to a halt. Family coming over, a fussy 7 year-old who doesn't want me away and not at home for very long. So much to juggle... but this belly is soooo heavy, lotsa 3rd trimester pain- baby kicking, back pain, pubic area pain and frequent bathroom breaks. Just getting up from bed is a struggle, an orchestrated act of balance and avoiding any unnecessary cramping.

For my 2nd pregnancy, I have the same wonderful OB and Pedia on board. I'm more comfortable with the idea that the doctors really know my medical history and how I was when I first gave birth. I'm in a far better state compared to my 1st pregnancy- I'm not manas (swelling with edema), overweight and I'm very active even in my 8.5 month state, I can handle 3 flights of stairs, take the MRT and even go up a farm hill (and endure a 16 hour film shoot at work). It ain't no cake, but its better than being dormant on a couch. I have no stretchmarks (only the ones from the previous pregnancy), I have no linea negra or dark spots (seems amazing). My baby's size is apt for his month and he has enough amniotic fluid to swim around. I think I owe this to the core exercises and Pilates regimen I had going before pregnancy and up to my first trimester. To sum it up my pregnancy now was less physically difficult and traumatic.

We're quite excited, I'm having another baby boy! a little brother for my firstborn, another son for a frantic dad- both can't wait to see the new addition to our family.

The A-HA! Learning Center for Street Kids

Let's give what we can give and contribute to our local community. It doesn't have to take a lot from us- we can volunteer our time, donate old and useful things or disseminate info to people or groups that have the bigger means to contribute :)



For starters, let's support this wonderful project of A-HA!

The A-HA! Learning Center is a free tutoring center for street kids living in the South Cemetery and Catholic Cemetery along Kalayaan and Reposo Streets in Makati.

I salute the commitment, passion and care of the people behind this non-profit group :) They also run a soup kitchen for the kids.



The A-HA center started in May 2009, and currently services 75 school children from grade 1 to 3rd year high school, teaching subjects from English, Math, Science to Art and Computer classes. They also have a new nursery playschool. They are in need of old books and toys, the books will help build A-ha!'s library further and the toys are for the community playschool.



Volunteers are welcome as according to their facebook page there isn't any age limit. They've got people as young as 12 and as old as 50 volunteer.

You can get in touch and bring your books at the A-HA Learning Center at 9708 C Pililia St, Rizal Village, Makati. For inquiries, please contact Jaton Zulueta (0918-979-3629) or Aina Valencia at 0917-507-9767 or email ahalearningcenter@gmail.com.

Being A Nuffnang Blogger is the Hottest Thing Since Sliced Pizza!

Being A Nuffnang Blogger is the Hottest Thing Since Sliced Pizza! (Though there's hot pizza right on the dot from Pizza hut) Being part of the Nuffnang blogosphere is the best thing that could ever happened to any local blogger.

Being a Nuffnang blogger can motivate you to go beyond writing about- what to wear, what to eat, what to share and what to see at the movies. You get to meet and seek out bloggers who share the same intense passion as you do. Now that's HOT!

It might be pouring down in the rest of Philippines, but that doesn't stop Pizza Hut and Nuffnang from having a sure-fire hot screening of Cowboys And Aliens, starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford at the Gateway Cinema.

But if you plan to stay indoors, the best news still comes from Pizza Hut! Which now offers Hot on the Dot Pizza deliveries: 30 minutes AND hot (as indicated by the thermally activated sticker you place on the pizza box upon receiving your pizza) or your pizza is FREE!

Dial 911-11-11
if you want your pizzas Hot on the Dot!

Pretty Preggies

Staying pretty while preggy is a gift haha! The hormonal changes are enough to make you puff up, bloat, gain weight or just the opposite- BLOOM! How lucky some moms are :)

Pregnancy really suits Selma Blair.


She has that preggy glow about her... great mom aura :)


and Ivanka Trump, gorgeous and divine in white while she was still preggers about a month ago.

Photos from Celebrity Baby Scoop

Hear little 5 year-old Sofia Coppola sing the "Lupang Hinirang"

Hear little 5 year-old Sofia Coppola sing the "Lupang Hinirang" or the Philippine National Anthem (or as pinoy kids are quick to quip yung Bayang Magiliw). Sofia is now all grown up as acclaimed as her director dad and maybe even far more talented :)

She learned singing our national anthem when she stayed with her dad in Laguna throughout the filming of Apocalypse Now. The Philippine anthem starts at 2:40 secs on the video.

You may visit Blessmybag's link which has been doing the facebook rounds this morning or the NPR blog for the audio file

One of the best things you can do with your kid is to record things for posterity, well to archive the "now" and the fleeting moments of life can always prove to be a priceless treasure later on.

My Niece at the Promil Pre-School i-Shine Talent Camp TV

My lovely 5 year-old niece Sasha is among the 12 finalists on the Promil i-Shine Talent Camp TV aired every Sunday on the GMA Network in Manila. The reality TV program is hosted by Mikee Cojuangco, Paolo Contis and child wonder Jillian Ward.



Sasha is superdaldal, makulit and loves posing in front of the camera for as long as I can remember. Mana sa Mommy and Lola niya ;)





At home, she loves to play dress up, my Sis makes her all these cute handmade costumes.



I saw the first episode this afternoon, looks a lot of fun for the kids and I can't say much about the parents though, they seem to look all anxious.

Well goodluck kiddies!