At home with homeschooling

Manila, Philippines -  What do Eragon novelist Christopher Pailini, singers and songwriters Jonas Brothers, and Ateneo UAAP basketball star Paul Tanchi have in common?

Other than being huge achievers in their chosen fields, they are all homeschoolers.

Along with impressive musical renditions and personal testimonies, the Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) discussed how parents can take full charge of teaching their children and providing D.I.Y. education at its best with the proper training and resources. The group also tackled the process, principles, effects, and benefits of homeschooling like the five tools for a successful D.I.Y. homeschooling.

HAPI believes that a successful education tailor-fit to each child will have five tools to work with:

• First, ruler to represent the learning context

• Second, a hammer for the learning content or the curriculum.

• Third, sandpaper for enrichment activities that bring out and hone the talents and skills of the homeschooler

• Fourth, a sharpening steel that represents support groups with like-minded and helpful parents

• Fifth and most importantly, the plumb line, which represents the standard (purpose) that will guide the homeschooling journey by keeping a straight path and be the ultimate measure of a successful child

In the country, more and more Filipino parents are choosing homeschooling, and discovering its priceless benefits. Putting their number conservatively at 3,000-strong families at present, HAPI has made it its mission to be a catalyst in nation-building by advancing home education and unifying home educators in the country.

Edric Mendoza, HAPI chairman: I realized in raising my four kids, that I only have one shot at parenting, and one shot at being the main influencer in their lives.”

“I realized in raising my four kids, that I only have one shot at parenting, and one shot at being the main influencer in their lives. For a golden standard of success, we have chosen to follow God and enable our children to pass on this important value and legacy,” as Edric Mendoza, HAPI chairman, said in his talk at the press conference.

The Philippine Homeschool Conference will be held on Saturday, May 19, in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong with the theme “Laying a Strong Foundation.”  International speaker Debra Bell, a homeschooling authority in the USA as well as a best-selling author, and our own inspirational speaker and author Bo Sanchez are slated as keynote speakers.  The event will be graced by the Department of Education officials like Atty. Tonisito Umali, assistant secretary for Legal & Legislative Affairs.

To know more about the Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) or how to register for the conference, visit www.hapihomeschooler.comand/or email hapihomeschooler@gmail.com.