How Fast Time Flies :)

Wow. It has definitely been a while since I've written anything in this blog. Upon checking this website, my last entry was about one of my required blog entries on a project I've worked on with JB during my USG days back in college (I can't believe that it has been 2 years already since then! haha). Anyway, a lot of things have changed since 2012-2013. Well to just to give a gist, I was able to get a job right after graduation, and have started doing yoga as a form of exercise.

A lot of things have evolved and changed this then. Upon starting 2014, I've transferred to another company, and have decided to deepen my yoga practice by enrolling in a Hot Yoga Teacher Training starting this February until this April here in Manila. For today's module, our teachers have asked us to think about why we wanted to become yoga teachers and have enrolled in this training. Well, here's my answer:

Teaching has been something really close to my heart. Ever since I was a child, I've wanted to become a teacher (but didn't know what I wanted to teach! haha). There was even an instance where I've written on our walls using colorful crayons! (sorry Mama and Papa!) haha. Going back, teaching has really been something I've wanted to venture into. When I was attending one of my yoga classes, I had this crazy thought in passing if it would be possible for me to become a yoga teacher. What made me interested to becoming one was that they were like role models anyone would look up to (lead a fit and healthy lifestyle, etc.). I've shared this thought with my friend and she told me that she was thinking the same thing. We've talked about it a couple of times but dismissed the idea, since it was very expensive to take TT and we felt that we needed to practice yoga more for us to better appreciate Yoga. Both of us were still starting out with our careers so we felt that maybe back then wasn't the right time just yet.
After a couple of months, here we are and have started our teacher training.

Apologies for jumping from one topic to another. Going back, perhaps one of the reasons why I've attended this teacher training is because I want to deepen my yoga practice and expound my knowledge on Yoga. After almost 2 years of practicing yoga (I started last July 2012!), I've realized that it is more than just a physical activity. Yoga is a lifestyle and has changed my outlook in life. I didn't realize that I've already started inviting people to come attend a yoga class with me and talk about yoga to them. I decided to become a teacher because I want to share with others the benefits I have gained when yoga was introduced to me. Until now, I am still very thankful for all the things that Yoga has taught me and is continuously teaching me every time I step on the mat. This time, I want to be the one doing that and inspire people through sharing my knowledge and introducing them to Yoga.

Namaste! and I hope to see you guys on the mat soon :)

Child Friendly Spaces in the Bagong Tuluyan Center :)

After the buying of the materials for the Child Friendly Spaces in the Bagong Tuluyan Center, we dressed up the room and installed the materials for the playroom/mini library. As we were designing the playroom, there were children who just came in from the streets and were roaming around the center. They were watching us design the playroom, and somehow, you can see in their faces that they are curious and at the same time excited as to what we were doing in the playroom.

At first, the playroom was bare and it looked a little empty and without life. But now, we are able to see the difference in terms of the layout and design of the place. We made it very much child-friendly to fulfill our objective of making these children feel that they can still play, learn to read and write despite their situation. Some of them were looking at us, asking us what we were doing. Upon seeing these curious looks and faces from the children, I felt happy that what we were doing was something for the children. Some were tailing us and it seemed that they want to play. We started arranging the mats first, then assembled the table and chairs. Then, while Gela and Aira were arranging the stuffed toys, Robert was fixing the posters to be mounted on the wall and arranging the donated books for the mini library and JB and I were cleaning the donated toys and putting them in the tray. Upon finishing the area, we asked Ate Jo to check the area and upon seeing this Child Friendly space for the children, she was happy and contented, thanking us for the help we have extended to them through donation of books, toys and other materials for the Child Friendly spaces.

Before the installation in the playroom

Before the installation in the playroom

The materials

With Ate Jo

Fixing the toys while children are peering from outside

Me and Jb cleaning the toys

Children of the street families

With COSORES Groupmates 

With Aira while cleaning the toys

New playroom! :)

After the installation, I felt fulfilled, knowing that this is something I know is useful for the children of the street families. It also made me feel happy that somehow, in my own little way, I was able to help these children have a conducive and child-friendly learning environment

Buying of Materials for the Child Friendly Spaces Project :)

            It was a Wednesday morning when the group decided to canvass and purchase the materials needed for the Child Friendly Spaces in the Bagong Tuluyan Center. We went to several stores to canvass for the computer tables for the computer room, and tables and chairs for the children in the daycare area. As we were canvassing for the tables I realized how important it is to maximize the resources available at hand. We had a limited budget for the project, and so it was a little difficult for us to be purchasing the materials because the costs of the materials to be used were pretty high.  We went to various stores and canvassing for the materials to spend the least amount of cost without compromising the quality. 

            Through this experience, my eyes were opened to the reality that there are things that are very limited in this world—such as money. While we were canvassing, it was like we didn’t want to spend it because we felt that we can use the money on a more valuable thing or material. It was because we were limited with the current resources we had for the day. This experience taught me how to value money—that it is not easy to earn and that it is not simply being picked up from the streets.  It also taught me how to budget and allot my money well. This helped me stay on track on things, as well as learn how to prioritize, most especially with deciding which things we needed to buy for the Bagong Tuluyan Center. Eventually, we were able to get all the materials for the Bagong Tuluyan Center, without going beyond our allotted budget for the project.

    

Counting our budget

Matt Flooring for the Play Area :)

Is this the right matt? 

Which chair to choose? Should we buy or not?

Electric fans--which one to choose?

Is our budget still enough??

        Here is a list of the materials we were able to buy for the Bagong Tuluyan Center:

1)   One small electric fan for the play room

2)   One set of small tables and chairs (for the play room)

3)   Mat set for the playroom

4)   One big plastic box for the toys of the children

5)   3-stack tray for the story books and coloring materials of the children.

6)   4 monobloc chairs for the computer room

Hurray! We got the materials!

I could say that I am honestly satisfied with what we have bought given our limited budget and that we were able to buy the essential materials we needed for the project. It was a tiring yet very fulfilling day, seeing that all our efforts are going to something that is for the benefit of the children.

Creating Another Child Friendly Space Model in Bagong Tuluyan Center

As we are able to finish the Construction of the Child Friendly Space in Barangay 704, our mission and goal does not stop here. We also contacted Ate Jo Trono from COSCA where she openly accommodated our group to create the Child Friendly Spaces in a center-based setting. The Bagong Tuluyan Center for the Street Families is a place where street families can do their household chores--taking a bath, cooking, resting, playing, reading, studying, and eating. The street families being adopted by the center are taught and encouraged on how to live a normal life--where they are safe and are protected against the harms of living in the streets. Upon seeing these people while we were meeting with Ate Jo, I realized how essential it is to have centers like this to be helping out these street families--more especially the children. Perhaps, this may be one of the reasons why we wanted to put up a Child Friendly Facility in the center--to ensure that the children of these families will be given a chance to be a kid and have a childhood they can surely remember and treasure.

The empty tables for the computers in the multi-purpose hall

With Ate Jo (of COSCA) after our meeting with her

With Ate Jo

Ocular Inspection

We met with Ate Jo where we presented our proposal for the project in the Bagong Tuluyan Center and asked for her inputs on the plans of the group. Finally, we were able to reach an agreement and we presented to her our proposed schedule for the implementation of the project. This included the days for the buying of the materials and the dates of the installation. The day we met with Ate Jo was also the day we conducted an ocular in order to check the place and make a list of the materials we will be buying for the Computer Area, day care area and the mini library area. Our meeting with her was fruitful, and we were able to agree on the schedule and dates we will be visiting.


     

Business Case on Nike

Nike Logo

Last week, we were asked by our professor to read a business case about Nike. In class, we were asked to discuss what happened to the Nike case in our respective groups and identify the ethical issues faced by Nike in the past. during the discussion, the class were exchanging ideas and insights about the said case. In addition, we were also asked to identify the possible alternatives the company can take to solve this issue. After the discussion of the case, we followed again the seven steps on solving ethical issues in general. This is where I was able to better appreciate the lessons taught to us prior to this business case activity. Through this reading activity, I was able to apply the lessons learned in class.  
                                                         

Phil Knight

It made me realize how crucial it is to take into consideration all the factors which may affect the stakeholders. As a business, one must be more aware as to how the operations of the business (regardless as to where) and not just become aware once a problem arises--and this will only cost more for the company. It would always be better to check on the whole business (not just one function, e.g Marketing) even those which are outsourced, so that further damage to the company may be avoided. Also, as the leading brand in the industry, it would also be good to set an example to other competitors so that they may also do the same for their company. Hence, becoming ethical does not only end to one company, but extends to the whole industry. It would also serve as a benchmark as to how the competitors will follow the said example of the leading company.  This will increase the quality of the product, and at the same time become a more effective and sustainable company in the future. It was an experience which they learned from, and will help them become more concerned and aware as to how their actions will affect their stakeholders. Not only will this boost the reputation of the company, it shall also help the community become more sustainable for all the stakeholders of the community.

Giving color to the Child Friendly Spaces Project :)

With some volunteers after Day 1 for
Mural Painting

As part of the construction phase for the Child Friendly Spaces, the mural wall painting was the next step towards finishing the project. Last January, we started with the sketching and painting of the murals in the community. Since I was not good with the arts, I volunteered with painting after the other volunteers were finished sketching with the  drawings on the wall.

With Aira (one of my COSORES groupmates ). We were waiting for the others
to finish the sketching so that we can start the painting :)

Painting the walls with COSORES Groupmates :)

After Day 1 the wall near the mini library was complete!

At first, I was very scared to paint the walls because the arts was my waterloo. However, when I started painting the walls, I realized that I was starting to get the hang of it. Eventually I started to enjoy painting because I realize that the initially plain walls of this facility is now full of life, with the different sketches of children playing, studying as well as the trees and flowers in place. It's definitely a one-of-a-kind experience for me, knowing that I am not really very artistic, and yet my skills were honed through this activity. I also felt very fulfilled, because I know that this project will go a long way with helping children achieve their dreams in the future.

Thumbs up from the volunteers of Day 2!

Working on the Welcoming wall :)

With the volunteers for the mural painting :)
Day 2- We were finishing the outlining and painting of the murals on the walls.










Last February 4, Jb and I went back to the community to finish up the painting of the 2nd floor where we concentrated our efforts on finishing the welcoming wall of the facility. I continued painting the rainbow and the bodies of the children while Jb finished the outlining and the fonts for the slogan!

Finding my inspiration in Child Friendly Spaces :)

As part of the University Student Government, one of our Community Development Projects for the year is focused on the Child Friendly Spaces project, a reconstruction of a particular space in the community where children will have a safe place to play, study and learn within a conducive environment. Since our batch government unit is under the Community Development Department of the Activities Assembly, we have been closely working with COSCA and the Community Development department in reconstructing a Child Friendly Space in one of the community partners of COSCA, Barangay 704 in Manila. Ever since first term, we have been working with the LGU of the barangay with raising funds and starting with the construction work for the said space. Every now and then, we would visit the barangay to check on the things needed for the said space. Since last 2nd term we were on OJT and Thesis, we were only able to go to the community on weekends. And this January, we are nearing the end of the construction phase for the said project. Last Saturday, we went to the community to finish the painting of the walls. Since we had more volunteers this day compared to our previous visits and had limited materials, I helped out in brainstorming on the concept or idea for the documentation and video presentation for the project.

Child Friendly Spaces Slogan

                             

 Since part of what we were to include in the video were children, we asked one of the barangay councilors if we could borrow children whom we will be including in the video (with permission, of course). In a short span of time, the barangay was able to bring 5 children whom we can include for the filming. Since we were not yet done with our concept, we asked the children to stay put first so we can start filming as soon as possible. While we were finishing up, the children waited for us in the site and since they were children, they were up and about running around the room like it was their playground. Before we started filming, we asked them their names and ages. Their names were Mark, JD, Hexene, Clovie and Nicolette whose ages range from 6 to 8 years old (about grade one). This is where I found out that majority of the children in the barangay were about the same age. While my other companions were filming the children, I stayed with those who waited for their turn. I was able to get to know them more, as they were sharing while we were playing. All of them were still innocent, and had simple aspirations in life. It made me realize how simple life may be. I admire how these children can smile and be happy even without wanting so much in life. For them, it was pretty much enough that they had their own families and they get to play on a weekend. One of the children even told me that she recently joined a spelling contest, while another was preparing for one. It was such a pleasure and honor to meet these children--just thinking about our plans for the area (the daycare, mini library, computer room, and study area) I know that we will be able to help these children reach and even surpass their dreams in the future.

I would have to say that this probably was one of the visits I have had in the community which had an impact on me. As I was going home from the barangay, I realized that my experience today helped me become all the more inspired to work even harder for the project. It dawned to me that amidst all the challenges and trials we are encountering to complete this project, I know that all these hardwork shall be worth it, as we see the priceless smiles of these children playing, learning to read and write, and learning to use the computer in the Child Friendly Space area we have made for them.