Paw-some Party of The Year: Celebrating 15 Years of Mouse-terful Storytelling at the Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0

Press Release:

MANILA, MAY 15 : Holey cheese — the worldwide bestselling children series Geronimo Stilton by Scholastic is celebrating its grand 15th anniversary! Marking the historic occasion, the Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0 is coming to town on May 25, 2019 from 1pm – 4pm at Atrium 1, Level 2, The Podium. So put those party hats on and get ready to have a “mice” time, because everyone is invited!

Exclusive for one day only, the Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0 offers families all around a wholesome experience with plenty whisker-licking-good activities. Kids can bring their inner Picasso in the On-the-Spot Art Contest or stand a chance to win the Cosplay Contest when they come as their favourite Geronimo Stilton character. For a jumping-good-time, kids can spend the afternoon in the Bouncy “Cheeseball” Pit, an inflatable castle ready to be conquered!

Also not to be missed is the Book Discussion of “My Favorite Geronimo Stilton Adventure” for kids to share their own unforgettable Geronimo moments with other fans of the series. Packing a paw-erful punch, the fun continues with Face-Painting, Photo Booth, Parlor Games and a yummy Snack Bar. The party of the year will also feature a Celebrity Appearance of Geronimo and Thea Stilton in a special musical number, shaking and grooving with their “cheesy” dance moves. As a memento, fans can also get their book copies stamped by Geronimo and The Stilton themselves!

An award-winning Ratitzer Prize author, Geronimo Stilton runs The Rodent’s Gazette, Mouse Island’s most famouse newspaper. Geronimo can be a scaredy mouse at times, but that does not stop his daring escapades across the globe (and other realms too)!  Geronimo writes the Geronimo Stilton series to share his funny adventures with young readers around the world.

Each book is fast-paced, filled with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love. Commenting on his book, Geronimo said, “They are whisker-licking good stories, and that’s a promise!”; his eyes gleaming with excitement. Plus, it sure makes learning English as enjoyable as chewing off a large chunk of cheese!

The series was first published in 2000 in Italian with the English version being published in 2004 by Scholastic Corporation, and since then has been entertaining children the world over with his amazing adventures. Together with his sister Thea, cousin Trap and nephew Benjamin, Geronimo Stilton exposes kids to different cultures in his quest for the latest scoop. To date, Geronimo Stilton has written seventy-two (72) internationally bestselling books and 7 spin-off series titles all based on his most exciting escapades. His sister Thea also has her own popular books based on her life as a photojournalist!Don’t miss the paw-some party of the year! To join the Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0, simply present any Geronimo Stilton book purchased from National Book Store, Powerbooks, NBS Express and online at www.nationalbookstore.com; upon registration at the venue. The Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0 is co-organized by Scholastic Asia, National Book Store, Powerbooks and The Podium.

Limitless Today, How about Tomorrow? by Team GENz #GlobeProjectEd

When we first started using Windows Movie Maker almost two decades, I remember it taking us hours, even days, to finish a video presentation. I was already in my early 20s then, so, yes, I’m part of that generation where Facebook and Friendster did not exist, where there were no smartphones, and computer screens were green or black.  Which is why it amazes me how kids nowadays can create commercial quality vids and pics using just a phone.  They can shoot and edit faster than you can say Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Check out the entries to Globe ProjectED, a nationwide video competition open to all High School students, and see how awesome this generation’s kids are.

They were tasked to create a 3-minute video using a smartphone to answer the question “How is technology changing how you learn today?”

Jerald Edd D. King and Simon Stephen T. Sy are representing Philadelphia High School in Globe ProjectED.  Help us support their Team GENz by watching, liking, and sharing their video.  🙂

 

Mga Kwento Ni Nanay: A Storytelling Workshop

Children love stories!  Undoubtedly, children love hearing stories in whatever form – in print, read to them, read on their own, on television, in movies, etcetera. It may sound surprising to some, but majority of children prefer listening to stories read to them by their moms.  They may not always enthusiastically show it but they do love it when their parents read them stories before they sleep at night.  Try to recall your own childhood. I’m pretty sure you treasure those bedtime stories your mom used to read to you.

I believe that all mothers are natural storytellers.  Some just need a little prodding to help bring out this gift.  This weekend may just be the right time to unleash the Mother Goose in you.  On November 24 and 25, the Gateway Gallery in partnership with Adarna House is holding the 2nd Mga Kwento ni Nanay: A Storytelling Workshop.  This workshop is designed to strengthen the reading campaign of the Gateway Gallery by involving parents, guardian, teachers and volunteers in the community.  If you want to learn helpful techniques to become an effective storyteller, this workshop is perfect for you.

This activity not only emphasizes the benefits of reading but espouses spending quality time with our children for their overall development.  We’ve often been told that the best gift we can give to our loved ones is time.  Well, what better way to spend that time than sharing stories with our children.

Mga Kwento ni Nanay: A Storytelling Workshop is just one among many programs of the Gateway Gallery that promotes the benefits of reading and the importance of literacy in our society.  Read on to learn more about this advocacy.

 

Press Release

The Gateway Gallery, managed by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF) – the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the Araneta Group, strongly believes in the importance of reading and literacy. In June 12 this year, the Gallery unveiled its “Liwanag Reading Corner”, a 7-piece mobile wooden sculpture inspired by the story of the Lamp and the Moth told by Teodora Alonzo to the young boy Jose Rizal. This one-of-a-kind art piece aims to promote our Filipino heritage and encourage reading by showcasing select books on Philippine history, culture and arts for all ages.

GATEWAY GALLERY PROGRAM

Reading has insurmountable benefits that cannot be neglected. It fosters individual growth that can spur national development. Encouragingly, the Philippines does not lag behind on basic literacy. In 2013, 96.5 percent of 74 million Filipinos 10 years old and over were basically literate. Basic or simple literacy – is the ability of a person to read and write with understanding a simple message in any language or dialect. Furthermore, nine out of every ten Filipinos 10 to 64 years were functionally literate. Functional literacy includes not only reading and writing but also numeracy skills. The skills must be sufficiently advanced to enable the individual to participate fully and efficiently in activities commonly occurring in his life situation that require a reasonable capability of communicating by written language. A functional literate person is one who can at least read, write, compute and/or comprehend. Also, persons who graduated from high school or completed higher level of education are classified as functionally literate.

Though the statistics looks good, the number significantly drops when comprehension or higher level of literacy is considered. Only 5 out of 10 elementary graduates can read, write, compute and comprehend. While this number improves as the students reach high school, only about 60% of the population actually reaches high school thus, attaining this level of literacy. Employment/ looking for work (28.8%), Family income not sufficient to send child to school (15.7), and lack of personal interest (14.9) are top 3 reasons for not attending school/ dropping out.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

The Gateway Gallery Reading Program aims to foster literacy or love for reading and books among Filipino children. It supplements the current DepEd programs on improving the literacy rate in the country with emphasis on promotion of Filipino history, arts, and culture.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Unveiled during the Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2017, the “Liwanag Reading Corner” is a 7-piece mobile wooden sculpture inspired by the story of the Lamp and the Moth told by Teodora Alonzo to the young boy Jose Rizal. The one of a kind art piece aims to promote our Filipino heritage and encourage reading by showcasing select books on Philippine history, culture and arts for all ages in the gallery.

Kuwentuhang Adarna sa Gateway Gallery is a monthly storytelling session for community children. The activity aims to promote book enjoyment through animated storytelling and activities. The stories are told by storytellers from Adarna House using Adarna books. The session ends with distribution of snacks and educational gifts.

The Liwanag Reading Caravan is a storytelling – school campaign where celebrity storytellers visit nearby schools to promote the value and habit of reading. It also encourages the students to visit Gateway Gallery’s Liwanag Reading Corner for some “after-school reading”.

Mga Kwento ni Nanay is a one-day storytelling workshop designed to strengthen the reading campaign of the Gallery by enlisting parents, guardian, teachers and volunteers in the community. Participants are briefed on the value of reading and helpful techniques to become effective storytellers. The activity not only emphasizes the benefits of reading but espouses spending quality time with the children for their overall development.

In the last 5 months since they launched their reading program, they were able to reach 230 children, trained nearly 100 storytellers and distributed more than 150 books.

This November 24 & 25, as celebrate the National Reading Month, the Gateway Gallery is holding its 2nd Mga Kwento ni Nanay : A Storytelling Workshop in partnership with Adarna House. The workshop is designed to strengthen the reading campaign of the Gallery by involving parents, guardian, teachers and volunteers in the community. Participants are briefed on the value of reading and helpful techniques to become effective storytellers. The activity not only emphasizes the benefits of reading but espouses spending quality time with children for their overall development.

Merck offers FREE Thyroid Screening to raise Awareness against Thyroid Diseases

Did you know that 1 out of 11 people suffer from thyroid diseases? You didn’t? You are not alone! Even up to 60 percent of those who have thyroid disease are unaware of their own condition. Most people never consider undergoing thyroid screening although they suffer from its symptoms. This alarming fact is the very reason why Merck steps up its awareness campaign against thyroid diseases. In partnership with the DOH, PTA, PSEDM, and IGN, Merck has launched the “It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid” campaign in time for the International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW) 2017. This campaign aims to raise consciousness against thyroid disorders.

Let’s start with you. How much do you really know about thyroid? Find out in this short quiz:

It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid Quiz

Found out that you didn’t know much? That’s all right. I think most of us really don’t know much about our thyroid. Now, let’s see if you may have a thyroid disorder and have been completely in the dark about it.

Do You Have A Thyroid Disorder?

Have you ever felt so extremely tired, experienced anxiety, had difficulty sleeping, suddenly gained or lost weight? I think we all have! These are also some of the signs of a thyroid problem but when we do suffer from them, we just think we’ve been working too hard or we’ve not been keeping a healthy lifestyle. If your symptoms keep recurring, it’s about time to have them checked because it may be more than just work-related stress – it could be a thyroid disorder. You may want to consider looking for the best CBD oils in an attempt to alleviate any anxiety, insomnia, pain or other physical and mental ailments you may be experiencing.

Do you have any of those symptoms? A self-check isn’t enough to diagnose thyroid problems. You must undergo some tests and consult a doctor. Do take advantage of the FREE Thyroid Screening and Consultation at the Trade Hall of Robinson’s Novaliches this Saturday, May 27. There will also be free massages, nail art, eyebrow threading, hair and make-up and so much more. Just perfect for us moms who want to stay healthy and beautiful for our loved ones.

 

Want to know more about Merck’s campaign against thyroid diseases? Read on…

(press release)

Merck steps up awareness campaign against thyroid diseases

MANILA, Philippines – In time for the International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW) 2017, leading science and healthcare innovation company Merck, joined forces with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Thyroid Association (PTA), Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM), and the Iodine Global Network (IGN), to raise consciousness against thyroid disorders.

You and your thyroid

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that sits in at the lower front of the neck. It plays a key role in one’s overall health and well-being by producing thyroid hormones that help keep the body use energy, stay warm, and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs in tip-top condition. [1]

Thyroid disorders are some of the most common diseases worldwide. In the Philippines, one in every 11 adults suffers from goiter or other thyroid disorders. [2]

Thyroid problems are more common in women. Figures show that women are four to seven times more likely to have thyroid disorders than men.[3] They are also at risk of hypothyroidism by 10 times. Moreover, women who recently gave birth and those who are in the menopausal stage are more vulnerable. 2

But why are thyroid diseases usually left undetected and misdiagnosed? Blame the symptoms. Tiredness, anxiety, weight fluctuations, difficulty in sleeping – these are some of the telling signs of a thyroid problem. Unfortunately, more often than not, people usually attribute these to merely having poor lifestyle choices. This is why the theme of this year’s ITAW is: “It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid”.

It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid

Since its primary role is to control the metabolism, disorders may occur when there’s little (hypothyroidism) or overproduction (hyperthyroidism) of thyroid hormones.

Patients with hypothyroidism, or too little thyroid hormone, tend to have slower metabolism: they gain weight despite not eating much, move and speak slowly, feel tired and have depressed thoughts, cannot tolerate cold, and have irregular menstrual periods. [4] On the other hand, patients with hyperthyroidism, or too much thyroid hormone, will have hyperactive metabolism: they lose weight despite having good appetite, have heart palpitations, irritable thoughts and insomnia, have sweating and heat intolerance, and can have tremors in their hands. [5]

The diagnosis of thyroid disorders can easily be made by checking the levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in the blood. Treatment brings the level of thyroid hormones back in balance, restoring normal metabolism to the body.

For more information, visit www.thyroidaware.com or follow “Unmasking Your Thyroid” on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thyroidph).

# # #

About Merck

Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company with headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. Merck is a leading science and technology company that works to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions.

References

[1] American Thyroid Association. Thyroid Information. http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-information/ Accessed May 2017.

[2] Carlos-Raboca, J et al. The Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study 1 (PhilTiDeS 1): Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders Among Adults in the Philippines. JAFES. 2012.

[3] Thyroid Foundation of Canada. Thyroid Disease: know the facts. Available online http://www.thyroid.ca/know_the_facts.php last accessed May 2017.

[4] American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism. Accessed from: http://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/Hypo_brochure.pdf on August 2016.

[5] American Thyroid Association. Hyperthyroidism. Accessed from http://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/Hyper_brochure.pdf on August 2016.

 

For more information about thyroid disorders and the campaign against it, visit Unmasking Your Thyroid on Facebook. Like the page for updates and promotions.

Fun Programs at The Galileo Summer Learning Camp 2017

Still in search for summer activities for your kids?  Check out the fun programs at the  Galileo Summer Learning Camp.

 

(Press Release)

Importance of Summer Learning

Galileo Summer Program 2017

The summer vacation has arrived and students are all very excited to hit the beach or go out of town. After spending ten months inside the classroom, finishing projects, doing homework at night and weekends, and studying for examinations, students definitely look forward to taking a break during the summer time for play and fun with their friends.

For teachers, the break means an uphill battle with the “summer slide.” Studies show that students could lose up to 2 months of literacy and math skills throughout the summer season, especially that the preschool and grade school years are the crucial stage to develop foundational skills needed in the long run. To solve this problem, enrolling kids in a Summer Program that runs for an hour or two per day answers the learning gap.

We at Galileo acknowledges the different learning pace and style of each child, taking into account one’s need for an encouraging and positive learning environment. Our organization aims to improve students’ academic aptitude by cultivating mastery of Math and English skills in a fun and meaningful way, thereby making them lifelong learners.

This summer, Galileo will be offering programs that will help prevent summer learning loss in an exciting ways. These innovative programs tap into the interests of the students while at the same time teach them with essential and practical learning skills.

The Galileo Summer Learning Camp (SLC) is a summer program that taps into a child’s interests while exposing him to a wide range of activities, preparing him for school, and further enhancing his social skills. This year, the Galileo Summer Learning Camp brings the fun and learning to the streets through its theme: Celebrating Filipino Games and Culture. This module celebrates the Filipino culture of connecting with friends through games, while at the same time strengthening body coordination, strategy, and skills.

The two-module Summer Learning Camp features well-known Filipino games for children and bring it to the classroom. These games will be integrated with other activities unique to the Galileo Summer Learning Camp such as art activities, creative storytelling, interactive songs, and cooperative playing.The SLC focuses on bodily-kinesthetic learning enriched with cognitive- related learning because the toddlers’ age, (1.5- 3 y.o) is the time when they need to develop motor skills, along with their thinking and perception skills.  In addition, some learning concepts such as shapes, colors and few letter recognition will be introduced.

The Wikang Filipino is a Filipino Reading Program — students will be reading Filipino texts to develop their reading comprehension and vocabulary in Filipino. Explore the world of wonder and discover what it means to be a child in a Filipino culture.

The two-module program offers local titles from Adarna Publishing House that not only teaches students to comprehend Filipino texts, but also increases their appreciation for the Filipino culture.

The Summer Math Club is a program integrating Math concepts to real-life situations, it aims to enhance student’s mathematical ability, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

The two-module program aims to teach money management and entrepreneurship along with the Math concepts essential to each lesson such as basic operations, percentage, decimals, measurement, and graphs.

The Junior Robotics: Creative Engineering is a theme-based program which uses LEGO Education’s WeDo materials and activities. It encompasses specific subject matter such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Language.

Based on case study, each project task will eventually lead the students of all ages into the ability to acquire new knowledge. Being well-equipped with the continuous knowledge they had learnt, students will have better capability to adapt in the ever-growing technology environment. This program is in collaboration with Cyberland International Education Centre Singapore.

The Digital Summer Camp: Coding and Technology is a techie summer treat that allows children to have fun while learning digital skills. This programming course aims to break classroom walls and create a learning space that will boost child’s creativity using technology. It also encourages learning through collaboration and cooperation. With Power Mac trainers as their mentors, children will be able to enhance their use of digital tools and bring life to their imagination. This is in collaboration with Power Mac Center, one of the recognized leading Apple Premium Reseller, Authorized Education Reseller, Authorized Training Center and Authorized Service Provider in the Philippines.

For more information about Galileo Summer Programs, you can call 8451234 or email  [email protected].