LIST: Summer activities for kids
MANILA, Philippines — Since the school year is over, kids now brace themselves for their favorite part of the year – summer break.
For those looking for fun and productive activities for their children this summer, check out the following.
First aid training for kids
Participants of the First Aid for Kids Training. Glenmark Philippines/Released
Glenmark Philippines, Inc., an affiliate of a leading research-based pharmaceutical company Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, recently conducted a “First Aid for Kids Training” through its brand on wound care, Foskina Ointment.
Through the training, the company aims to increase awareness about the value of knowing the application of basic first aid, particularly among parents and school facilitators of pre-school and kindergarteners.
Kids in this age range are usually prone to cuts, scrapes, and burns, acquired either at home, school or other areas like malls, parks, and playgrounds where they are most physically active. Thus, it is of utmost importance that parents and school facilitators are knowledgeable when it comes to applying first aid as the “first responders” on proper wound care management and in other cases of emergencies.
Among the highlights of the training were wound care and burn management, allergies and bites, and CPR and choking. The lectures and hands-on demos were led by the team behind Early Intervention Management, Dr. Dan Luchangco from the Emergency Department of the Makati Medical Center and Dr. Joy Sto. Domingo, Chairman of the VRP Emergency Medicine Consultants.
Raise children’s animal quotient
ZooMoo, a cable channel that aims to provide entertainment and learning about animals and nature for children, is now available on Sky Cable.
It is an English-language based media channel nourishes children’s Animal Quotient (AQ) through its library of shows that capture their attention and awaken their imagination. It also provides deeper information about animals, their habitats, behavior, and characteristics in a simplified yet visual way that are highly appealing to kids.
The channel comprises 1,500 self-contained shows combining spectacular wildlife footage with a range of puppetry, animations, and narrative techniques to create a unique viewing and learning experience for little viewers. ZooMoo’s programming lineup follow five themes: explore time, create time, play time, puzzle time and quiet time. The channel also carries a strong message of conservation to help kids become more compassionate towards the creatures we share the planet with.
Let your child be the next star
The search for the next child wonder is now on as SM announced the start of SM Little Stars 2019.
“Through SM Little Stars, we celebrate our commitment to making mall-going experiences fun, nurturing, and rewarding for the whole family, and to spark moments that kids will treasure today and in the coming years,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls SVP for marketing.
For over 12 years of celebrating talented Filipino kids, SM Supermalls unboxes a bigger and more exciting SM Little Stars as the kiddie-talent search gives away over P9.5 million worth of prizes, including two brand new Chevrolet Sail, trips for two to China, National University college scholarships, an exclusive contract with Regal Artist Management, and P100,000 worth of cash and SM GCs.
The kids will get the chance to be trained by celebrity mentors and entertainment gurus in a series of workshops to develop their talent, boost their confidence, and encourage them to make new friends with other participants.
SM Little Stars achievers who are now making waves in showbiz include 2016 Boy Grand Winner Marcus Cabais, who exhibits talent as a movie and theater actor, playing the role of the Young Simba at The Lion King The Musical. While2014 Girl Grand Winner Chun SaJung wins fans with her acting prowess as a mainstay of a kiddie comedy show on TV.
Joining the celebrated kids is 2013 Boy Grand Winner NhikzyCalmawho was awarded as WCOPA Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World in 2017 and has now become part of primetime variety shows.
Not to be missed is 2016 Girl Grand Winner turned commercial model Sheena KirtstenBentoy who plays as the Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King The Musical Asian Tour.
Star Magic Workshops open language class
On top of the established and reliable acting, voice and dance workshops, Star Magic’s premier training group led by director-scriptwriter and Star Magic Workshop head Rahyan Carlos is spearheading a new class for those who are willing to make the most out of their Summer or to explore new facets of themselves.
The Star Magic Workshops is adding a Conversational Tagalog Class for Non Tagalog Speakers class on the curriculum. This specifc class, which will be taught by Weena Sadorra, aims to improve the students’ Tagalog proficiency.
After years of being limited to Star Magic artists alone, the said class will now be available to public work shoppers starting this summer.
To make the intensive training a lot more exciting and conducive for learning, the Star Magic Workshops is also debuting their newly-renovated training halls for the Summer work shoppers.
In line with its consistent pioneering of innovations in talent management and development, Star Magic Workshops is also launching the Artist Registry in collaboration with ABS-CBN Production teams very soon.
Star Magic Workshoppers, who has shown notable aptitude and impeccable discipline and passion, would have the chance to be selected by Direk Rahyan and Mr. Johnny Manahan for the soon-to-launch platform aimed at providing acting opportunities within ABS-CBN shows.
“We want to reintroduce to the public that we are number 1 in the Philippines in terms of training for the performance arts such as acting, voice and dance,” said Direk Rahyan. “In fact we have recorded a total of 1,400 enrollees last year alone.”
REP holds summer workshops
Repertory Philippines (REP) Workshop for the Performing Arts. Photo release
Whether you’re unlocking your child’s artistic talents or exploring the exciting world of theater for yourself, there’s nowherebetter for you to do so than at Repertory Philippines (REP) Workshop for the Performing Arts.
From April to July, REP is holding its annual summer series of intensive courses in Performing Arts, ranging from basic to advanced, allowing everyone the chance to shine under the spotlight. With its 52-year track record of artistic excellence, REP has trained and honed the very best theater talents in the country.
The first batch of workshops runs from April 22 until June 8, while the second round starts June 10 to July 19, and will be facilitated by some of the country’s most outstanding thespians and practitioners.All classes will be held from Monday to Friday at the Active Fun Building, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Get your kids to lift their heads from their gadget screens, learn new skills, and enjoy some good times with newfound friends by enrolling them in the Kiddie Classes for children aged 4 to 8 years old, the Pre-Teens Class for kids 9 to 12 years old, or the Teens Class for 13 to 16-year old students.
For those who have acting experience and want to take their theater skills to the next level, you are invited to audition for REP’s Junior Masterclass, an intensive seven-week workshop for performers aged 12-18. At the end of this workshop, students will be performing in an all-new musical to be conducted by award-winning actor and director Joel Trinidad and Nicky Triviño, the only Filipino to have joined the 2018 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab in New York City.
Participants aged 17 and older may sign up for the Adults Class, under the tutelage of respected stage veteran Meynard Peñalosa,to help tap into their creative side and discover how performing skills can have a positive impact on their daily lives or personal development. For those seriously considering a career in theater, the Adults Masterclass is an acting program designed to expose participants to advanced acting principles and skills. Join the class to be facilitated by seasoned stage actor and director Jeremy Domingo from June 10 to July 19.
Another exciting workshop opening this summer is the Triple Threat Masterclass. The program uses a musical theater syllabus that teaches breathing techniques to better handle the strenuous training of acting, singing and dancing, with a ballet, jazz and tap foundation. The class also has added training in hip hop and flamenco, and production work. Running from April 22 to June 8, Monday to Friday, the Triple Threat Masterclass will be held at 188 A. Mabini St., Addition Hills, San Juan, Rizal and will be taught by triple threat Maricar Aragon.
The REP Workshop for the Performing Arts trains participants in all aspects of musical theater including singing, acting, and dancing; alongside instilling habits of self-discipline, developing the imagination, and enhancing self-confidence. On the 7th week, students will be showcasing the theater skills they’ve gained in a culminating production to be staged at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt. Workshop enrollment fees are at P10,000, except for the Adults Masterclass which is at P12,000. For inquiries, visit REP’s website.
Acting classes from the trainers of Julia Montes
Join the Kids Acts Philippines’ SUMMER 2019 MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOPfeaturing “SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS.”
The workshop will be held from April 10 and shall run up to June 1 (Mondays, Wednesday and Friday). This is open for 3-7 years old (Kinder Theater), 8-10 years old (Children’s Theater), 11-13 years old (Junior Theater); 14 years old and up (Teen Theater) and the Camp Art Scholars. Venue: Activity Center, Ayala Malls Circuit City. Fee is P 10,000/ inclusive of workshop materials, costume rental and recital fee.
Kids Acts Philippines is the premier children's theater company in the Philippines, founded by two award-winning Filipino Directors - Luigi Nacario, Best Stage Director in a Musical by Aliw Awards and Best Writer and Lyricist for a Filipino Musical by BroadwayWorld Philippines; and Eugene Belbis, Best Musical Director by Aliw Awards.
KAPI, as what it is popularly known, was named as Best Theater Company by BroadwayWorld Philippines in 2013.
For seventeen years, it has created and produced a number of adapted and original children's musicals performed by an all-kids cast, a pioneer in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Apart from creating and developing new musicals, Kids Acts Philippines, through its TheCampArt Performing School, provides workshops and trainings on acting, music, and singing to students as an after-school activity during school year and to kid dependents of top corporations and companies during summer.
KAPI is being regarded as one of the best and largest workshop providers in the country following an international syllabus for theater education integrated by its own acting approach called S.A.F.E. Acting Technique.
Noted actors and celebrities who are trained by Kids Acts Philippines are Julia Montes (ABS-CBN's “Mara Clara”), Kyline Alcantara (ABS-CBN's “Analisa,” and GMA's “KambalKaribal” and “InagawnaBituin”), Janine Berdin (Champion in ABS-CBN's “It’s Showtime's Tawag ng Tanghalan") and Noel Comia Jr. (Aliw Awards' Hall of Famer as Best Child Performer and a contender of ABS-CBN's “Your Face Sound Familiar Kids” and “The Voice Kids”).
KAPI trains children to become artists underpinning with theater discipline until their stars shine on Stage, TV, and Film.
A toast to Broadway
Far Eastern University President’s Committee on Culture presents the FEU Bamboo Band in a concert titled, “A Toast to Broadway” on Saturday, May 4 at 6 p.m., in the historic FEU Auditorium. Known as the cultural center of the country in the 1950’s, the FEU Auditorium celebrates its 70th Anniversary throughout 2019.
The FEU Bamboo Band is composed of students from the different institutes of Far Eastern University under the artistic direction of Norberto Cads, who is celebrating his 10th anniversary with FEU.
Cads has extensive knowledge on bamboo music and has participated in numerous international expositions and festivals together with the Banda Kawayan Pilipinas. He trains his members in various genres of music. The culmination of a whole academic year’s worth of rehearsals taught the members masterpieces from iconic Broadway musicals.
“A Toast to Broadway” features classics from Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Wicked, and Les Miserables on bamboo instruments. The concert celebrates these enchanting hits from Broadway Musicals but also highlights the talented members of the group who are all non-music majors. The concert will reinforce to the audience that theatrical music is accessible to everyone, is enjoyable and can be performed on bamboo instruments.
The concert will be further electrified by two exceptional artists namely Mr. Raymond Gorospe and Ms. Banaue Miclat Janssen.
Raymond Gorospe is a host, commercial model, and 2015 WCOPA (World Championships of Performing Arts) multi-medallist including Silver Medals for the Gospel and Broadway Vocals Categories.
Banaue Miclat Janssen is a professional performer who has won two Aliw Awards for Best Performance for a New Concept Production, most recently for her performance in Ginugunita Kita in the FEU Auditorium, the Best Actress Award from the Metropolitan Opera Getty Awards for her role in “Salome”, and a Best Actress citation for New York University’s First Run Film Festival for “Giving Care”. She is a professor in the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts. She is the current Artistic Director of Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP) and the UP Playwrights’ Theatre (UPPT).
Philippines to witness world-class Moscow Ballet 'La Classique'
The world-renowned Moscow Ballet “La Classique” with Bolshoi Ballet stars Nina Kaptsova and Alexander VolchKov will have a resident show at the New Frontier Theater (Araneta Center, Quezon City) from June 14 to 22, accompanied by the Russian Symphony Orchestra.
The Moscow Ballet “La Classique” will stage “Swan Lake,” a story of romance, betrayal, and redemption that is regarded as the ultimate fairy tale ballet.
Tickets will be available on April 3, 2019 at TicketNet outlets and website.
Eliminate head lice this summer
Parents know that when kids go out to play, the chances for exposure to various diseases increase. And this summer, when kids are playing under the heat of the sun, head lice is one of the things parents wanted to avoid for their children.
With head lice is one of the many unforeseen health risks that children can obtain, Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo is one of the solutions to eliminate both head lice and your worries.
It is recommended to use Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo twice a week for two weeks for treatment of head lice.
Opening doors for aspiring young chefs
The Maya Kitchen is once again holding a variety of culinary workshops forchildren from April to June, just in time for school break.
Encourage your little ones to make the most out of their summer holiday and enroll them in the Kids’ Culinary Bootcamps, where they’ll learn age-appropriate basic cooking and baking skills and recipes. Classes forkids aged 6 to 12 will be held from May 7 to 10 andfrom June 4 to 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The four-day culinary camp in May costs P6,000,while the 2-day culinary camp in June costs P3,000.
For teens aged 13 to 18, The Maya Kitchen offers the Young Adults Culinary Classes, where they can discover the art of uncomplicated cooking from experienced chefs. The 4-day cooking camp will be held on May 21 to 24, while the 2-day cooking camp will be from June 13 to14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fees are at P7,000 and P3,500 respectively.
The Maya Kitchen has been offering cooking and baking classes for children and young adults to give them a taste of different cuisines and teach them cooking essentials— from slicing, mincing to boiling, and so much more. Aside from cooking skills, the annual summer workshops aim to introduce the participants to healthy eating, home responsibilities, and to develop a better appreciation of what the year. For more information on this and on other course offerings, log on to Themayakitchen.com.
Be a little pizza chef
On April 6 and 15, parents or guardians are invited to register their kid at Pizza Hut Ali Mall. They will choose a schedule based on the given date for the month of April. They will pay the chosen package with 10 percent service charge in full on the day of registration. They must sign the contract given and discussed by the duty manager.
Three days before the event, the pizza restaurant's team will remind participants about Little Pizza Chef program for the schedule they reserved. The program allows kids four to 12 to learn how to make the diner's famous pan pizza.
Summer activities for the family
Estancia’s Summer Takeover activities will run throughout April, all designed to let kids discover and hone their special talents. Choose from singing lessons (April 11 and 12), hip-hop dance lessons (April 15-16), modeling lessons (April 22, 24 and 26), and an arts and crafts workshop (May 3). A culminating event on May 4 will allow kids to show off their works which will be on display at the Bridgeway.
Estancia has also prepared activities for teens, who can look forward to an Instagrammable Photo Styling session (April 13) and Succulent in Pot Decorating (April 27).
The Easter Safari Eggventure will include musical performances inspired by the Lion King, lots of games, a magician’s show, and an easter egg safari hunt all happening on April 21.
If you want to express your thoughts artistically, you’ll love the Collab-a-Doodle Wall at Tiendesitas, where you can doodle to your heart’s content on a giant wall and even meet some artists. There will be a Collab-a-Doodle wall on Easter on April 13 to 14.
More kid-friendly activities await at the Tiendesitas Kids Summer Camp. For the aspiring young artists, there will be Little Mr. & Ms. Tiendesitas 2019, dance, acting and modeling workshops, and outreach program where kids can leand meet new friends on all weekends of April.
Easter is extra special with lots of games and an easter-egg hunt that promises lots of fun. There will also be a summer camp on educational activities (April 24), pre-production and modeling (April 26), and a parade (April 27).
Enjoy countless summer adventures at Industria’s weekend Zumba workouts with Ninja Academy throughout the month of April. For health and wellness buffs, there will be a Green Market on May 4, 11, 18 and 25 that will offer a wide array of organic produce and healthy food stuff.
Celebrate Easter on April 21 with an Easter Cookie Decorating session that your kids will surely love. You can also have a blast with friends at Industria’s Bob Marley Summer Kick Off party on May 4 that will feature the best local bands in the country.
Free haircut for a cause
Beat the summer heat with a new haircut through Makati Medical Center’s “Gift of Your Hair 2019” hair donation drive. Get a free haircut for a cause by donating your hair on April 10 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Cancer Center, first floor, Tower 1.
MakatiMed teamed up with HEADS by Volu-Med salon, which provides solutions for hair problems by integrating hair services with quality hair systems and wigs, for the annual donation drive. Hair experts from HEADS will provide free haircut and styling to those who will donate to MakatiMed.
The donated hair should at least be nine (9) inches long. Any hair type, including gray and white hair, will be accepted. Donors who choose to get a haircut elsewhere will still able to donate by sending the bundled hair to MakatiMed Cancer Center.
Donations will be carefully made into wigs that MakatiMed cancer patients can use. This is the fourth consecutive year that the MakatiMed Cancer Center organized the annual hair donation drive.
For inquiries and registration, please call the MakatiMed Cancer Center.
Reaching out to kids with autism
The Autism Society Philippines (ASP), together with SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, held the annual Angels Walk for Autism recently at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Since it began in 2007, the walk continues to advocate for acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of Filipinos with autism towards an Autism-OK Philippines.
“Although many are aware of autism, very few people actually understand what it means to live life on the autism spectrum. SM Cares and ASP come together as a community to remind everyone that autism awareness and acceptance should be part of their everyday lives. Awareness is a good thing, but acceptance is far more meaningful,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, SVP of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Cares Program on PWD’s.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos, who issued EO 711 of 1996, instituting the commemoration of the National Autism Consciousness Week, was honored by ASP as the Father of the Philippine Autism Advocacy.
“FVR’s leadership opened the doors for the government agencies and private institutions to begin the path towards genuine acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons on the autism spectrum,” shared Mona Magno-Veluz, ASP National President, adding “His administration’s disability-inclusive policies have put the Philippines ahead of our ASEAN neighbors in advocating for persons with autism and other invisible disabilities.”
The pre-walk program included performances from children and adults on the autism spectrum and special guests, the annual ASP Autism Angel Achievement Awards and a special presentation on ASP’s milestones since 1989. Families, professionals, supporters from the government and private sectors, from the Philippines and overseas are expected to join the walk from the MOA Arena to the SM MOA Music Hall.
Fun in HK
Ocean Park Hong Kong. Photo release
With the grand opening of the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel, Ocean Park Hong Kong successfully transforms into a premier international resort destination, offering guests from around the world a unique one-stop edutainment experience.
Families can take their first dive into the new experience this Easter as they embark on a fun-filled adventure as nature explorers during the Park’s Animal Discovery Fest that runs from April 19 to May 1, wherein 14 different interactive animal workshops and backstage explorer tours will be open to public, including the all-new, limited-time Meet the Walrus programme and the first-ever open house at the Park’s veterinary centre. Here guests will learn about animals spanning the sky, land and sea whilst advocating the Park’s exemplary efforts and achievements in animal care and conservation.
Pedal and pray at 6th Bisikleta Iglesia
Lent is a time for fervent expressions of faith. In Batangas, there is a unique expedition that takes devotees and biking enthusiasts on an awesome faith, sports, and heritage tour. This is Bisikleta Iglesia Season 6.
Organized by Lima Park Hotel, Bisikleta Iglesia kicks off on 13 April 2019 Saturday at 5:00 am. The pilgrimage tour on bike will take cyclists on a 42-kilometer journey of seven beautiful Batangas lakeshore churches: Sto.Niño Parish Church, Marawoy, Lipa City; St. Therese of Child Jesus, Lipa City; Minim Nuns of St. Francis of Paola, Lipa City; National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, Sto. Tomas; St. John the Evangelist Parish Church, Tanauan City; Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish Church, Tanauan City; and Immaculate Conception Parish Church, Malvar.
One of the main faith tourism attractions in Batangas that recently drew thousands of devotees is the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio. It was among the churches that housed the “incorrupt heart” relic of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy when it arrived in the country in October 2018 as part of an organized worldwide tour. Considered as the “Saint of the Millennium,” St. Padre Pio is best known for his charity and gift of stigmata.
According to Lima Park Hotel’s Director for Marketing and Corporate Communications Rose M. Landicho, Bisikleta Iglesia is an initiative to promote wellness, sports, and faith tourism in Batangas. “Our Bisikleta Iglesia is an excellent vehicle to promote the province, its attractions, its rich culture, and noble heritage.”
Expecting to attract more than 400 pilgrim bikers, Landicho shared that Lima Park Hotel has been working with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to develop Batangas as one of the more accessible destinations for religious tourism in the country. “Lipa, in particular, is a virtual showcase of beautiful churches, both old and new. In fact, Lipa is dubbed as the Little Rome of the Philippines; thanks to its numerous churches, chapels, convents, and seminaries,” Landicho said.
Davao Oriental to stage its biggest music festival this April
In its bid to promote Davao Oriental as a progressive, traveler friendly destination, the Davao Oriental provincial government and the City of Mati, along with Orca Promotions, is organizing the biggest concert in the province this April 6-7, 2019.
Dubbed the Bonfire Music Festival, the 2-day music festival at the Provincial Sports Complex at Bgy Dahican, Mati in Davao Oriental, will promote different genres of music for an estimated 7,000 attendees. The concert will also be an opportunity to showcase the beauty of the Province of Davao Oriental, its culture and tourist destinations to the participants.
Performers lined up on April 6 are December Avenue, Nairud, Harmoniax, Broken Chords of May, OrientRocks, Muzza Band and Mark & Sid. The next day, April 7, features top Rave deejays Tom Taus, Stefan Lan, Ron Poe, Jet Boado, Cathy Frey, Cassie D and Jack Ripper.
A 2-day pass grants access to all these performances, discounts at fun activities such as paintball challenge, freebies from sponsors, raffles and many more. For tickets and inquiries, visit the Bonfire Facebook page.
