When TV and Radio come together

WE KNOW them quite well as we listen to them everyday at home or while driving to work. They entertain, make us laugh and play music for us.  They spend long hours with their audience and though they seem very familiar, they remain faceless as we hear them only on the radio.

In contrast, we see on-screen hosts and reporters as they deliver the news daily, but only for short periods of airtime.  Hardly do you see the real personalities of these hard working ladies and gentlemen behind GMA’s Isyu Subong Negrense News and Public Affairs program.

As a TV Host, I rarely get to see the DJs (disc jockeys).  Sometimes during out of town shows, we get a chance to co-host or watch them host the show, but always, whenever they’re around, it’s always so much fun.

So what happens when TV and radio come together? 

For the first time in GMA Bacolod history, DJs came together with GMA News and Public Affairs to celebrate the re launching of Campus Radio 107.1 to now, Barangay 107.1 Tugstugan Na!  It was a night to relax and enjoy just being together in a venue that’s totally different from what we are used to.

The show was held during the festivities of the Panaad Festival last April 4, 2014 at the Panaad Park Stage.

It started with the DJs playing a prank on everyone including the Director of the show, Ms. Rutha Rojo.  They sent out on stage 2 random boys to pretend to be the show’s hosts – Papa Lito and Papa Ator, together with Isyu Subong Negrense Host Kat Valencia.  Ms. Rutha’s reaction was priceless, which of course, gave us a good laugh and that set the tone for the evening.

Kapuso Barangayan Hosts: Barangay 107.1 DJs Papa Ator,
Kat Valencia  and Papa Lito (Photo by Anna Saril)

It was very interesting to see how the hosting styles vary between the radio and tv personalities.  We were more reserved and calculated in our spiels while the DJs were just non stop and totally comfortable talking and entertaining the audience. 

There were dance numbers from the Panaad Latin Dancesport Competition Kapuso Choice Awardees and live performances from the Pikadilyos Band.  Lots of games were played and prizes were given away. 

GMA Station Manager, Ms. Tina Magbojos and I awarding
the Panaad Latin Dancesport Competition (Photo by Anna Saril)

Isyu Subong Negrense hosts and reporters came on stage and conducted some games themselves.  We even hesitantly performed a song number, “Roar” by Katy Perry and surprisingly enjoyed ourselves in the process. 

GMA ISYU SUBONG Reporters & Hosts Erwin Nicavera,
Stephanie Azucena, myself, Kat Valencia and Arianne Gasataya

The finale was a band performance by no less than our very own DJs! Who knew that all of them had musical inclinations?  Papa Paolo was on the drums, Papa Marco & Papa Dino were on the electric guitars, Papa Brando played the saxophone and Papa Dino, Lito, Janno and Ator did the vocals. 

Barangay 107.1 Tugstugan Na! DJs performing together
as a band (Photo by Anna Saril)

It was a wonderful sight to behold as the DJs played together for the first time. It was an evening that we all enjoyed as we appreciated one another and the company that brings us all together.  One thing that’s common among all of us, is we are all truly - proud to be Kapuso!

(Published for Sun Star Bacolod Lifestyle Section, April 10, 2014)

A New Trend for Brides

IT IS every girl’s dream to have the perfect wedding, with the right man, at the most magical place.  Every detail is thoroughly thought of: the cake, the flowers, the music, the rings, the wedding gown… especially the wedding gown.  It is no wonder that the wedding industry is as huge as it is in any part of the world, because a wedding is about the most important event in a person’s life.  Millions are spent on weddings as brides and grooms–to-be want nothing but the best and the grandest for the biggest event of their lives. 

Naturally, the quest for the perfect wedding gown becomes one of the most crucial tasks of the bride.  Because how could there be a perfect wedding, without the perfect gown?  Here in the Philippines, it has been tradition for brides to have their gowns custom-made. Every bride has her own taste, and her task is to find the couturier that would match her personal style, who would hopefully execute her idea of the perfect wedding gown.

Interestingly, there is a new trend in Metro Manila that has trickled down to Bacolod City, where brides buy ready-to-wear bridal gowns from the US or Europe.  One of these bridal retail stores, Rosa Clara, a Spanish brand, opened their first store in Metro Manila, and it is their only store in Asia Pacific.

Though the gowns are just as good in quality and design than those made by the most popular designers in the country, it takes a modern woman to break tradition and choose to buy her wedding gown in a retail store like this. 

Just like having a custom-made gown, the bride schedules an appointment and tries on the different gowns available at the store.  This goes against the superstition where a bride is not supposed to wear her gown before the wedding day. But superstition aside, I think it is a great advantage for a bride to actually see and try on which silhouettes would suit her best.  And apparently, there is a growing number of Filipina brides who are choosing to be more practical rather than superstitious.

Gown Fitting (Photo by Tamila Tinsay)

According to Ms. Tamila Tinsay, a Negrense and Bridal Consultant of Rosa Clara, “Sometimes, brides think they don't like a certain cut, fabric or style, but after trying them on, their preferences change. It's different if brides get to try on dresses and see how it actually fits on them. It also lessens the worry of how the dress will turn out just a few months before her wedding.”

Tamila Tinsay, Bridal Consultant  with
Annalisa, Seamstress (Photo by Tam Tinsay)

As soon as the bride has chosen a style, they order the gown in her size, all the way from Barcelona, Spain, as all gowns are made there.  The store is not only limited to wedding gowns, but they also carry cocktail dresses and formal gowns.

Since there have been quite a number of brides from Bacolod who have worn Rosa Clara, the company chose Bacolod City to be the first venue for their regional trunk show.  This was held last March 29-30, 2014 at the Imperial Stuite of L Fisher Hotel, with 20 dresses from different collections, silhouettes, cuts and styles for the Bacolod brides to choose from.

Rosa Clara Trunk Show Setup at L'Fisher Hotel (Photo by Tam Tinsay)

According to Ms. Tinsay, they were able to book a good number of brides as this was done by appointment.  The gowns from the new collection, range from P80,000 – P150,000, but some of those from the old collection are marked down to about P50,000-P100,000.  Rosa Clara’s Manila store is located at Retail #2, The Residences At Greenbelt Tower III, Esperanza St. corner Greenbelt Drive, Ayala Center, Makati City, Philippines.

Bacolod Bride Sharina Lopingco-Regalado
wearing LINDA (Photo by Quincy John Tampo)

Bacolod Bride Kitty Kho-Trinidad
wearing JUGLAR (Photo by Ian Santillan)

(Published for Sun Star Bacolod Lifestyle Section, April 3, 2014)

Teacher-Made Toys

AS A preschool teacher, I utterly enjoy and am constantly challenged in thinking of new and fun ways of teaching academic concepts.  Especially at the preschool level, I always make sure that there’s lots of fun, adventure and discovery added into the lesson plans.  One of the things that we teachers do is to create toys or what we call “manipulatives”, that will creatively teach the little ones the skills that they need to learn before they can move up to the next level in school.  These toys are geared towards teaching math, reading, writing, sorting, matching, fine motor and gross motor skills, among others. As teachers, we have our favorite manipulatives as we see how effective these have been in teaching our students.

T-MATO Loop Bands (Photo by Cat JL)

T-MATO Stringing Beads (Photo by Cat JL)

Last year, I was inspired to “commercialize” these simple teacher-made toys as I realized how it could also bless many other children at home, especially homeschooling families, as well as other preschools.  I invited a co-teacher and good friend of mine, Teacher MM Cusi, to join me in the venture and she wholeheartedly embraced the vision.  Together, we brainstormed and worked on setting up the business and sampling our first products. It was a fun and enjoyable process and we proudly launched in September 2013.

My partner MM Cusi & myself at the Launch

T-MATO's Launch at the Weekend Souk at The District, Ayala

It’s been quite a challenging start for us as our toys are not as animated and entertaining as the products you’ll find at the toy stores.  We have designed our products in such a way that will engage children in long periods of play through the guidance of mothers and teachers.  This is to help them focus and have longer periods of attention span.  

T-MATO Color Beanies (Photo by Cat JL)

In spite of this, we have received so much positive feedback especially from mothers and teachers here in Bacolod, in some parts of the country and even in the US and Australia, who have expressed their interest and appreciation for what we do.  One of the moms who purchased all of our products, expressed how grateful she is for being able to buy these toys and not have to make them herself because she believes in how helpful these are to her child.  Other Moms have told us how engaged their children are in playing with our toys and how they have truly mastered the skills that our toys were meant to teach.

T-MATO Color Popsicles (Photo by Cat JL)

We have also brought back one of the ‘old school’ toys from my generation, the chinese jackstones, which has gotten a lot of attention especially from mothers like myself!  I think it’s great that these old games are brought to life again, although I suspect that the moms play them more than their children.

T-MATO Chinese Jackstones

This business also supports the local community as we have tapped one of the Gawad Kalinga sites to manufacture the goods for us.  These are mostly handmade using materials that are safe, durable and as much as possible, locally sourced.

T-MATO Movement Dice (Photo by Cat JL)

T-MATO Fishing Game

It is my hope that through these toys, many children will have positive experiences in learning.  That through these efforts and through the passion and love of parents and teachers, we will be able to raise a generation that’s capable and well-equipped in facing the 21^st century, with their values strong and very much in tact to guide them.

Teacher-Made Toys (T-MATO)

(Published for Sun Star Bacolod Lifestyle Section, March 27, 2014)

The Blessings of Teaching

I was pleasantly surprised when I was offered to write for Sun Star’s Lifestyle Section.  Being an educator at Lamblight Catholic School, TV Host of GMA’s Isyu Subong Negrense and a mother of 2 wonderful children (yes, I may be biased), I knew this would be a great addition to my varied roles.  I got excited about being able to share my thoughts from the perspective of my simple life, with the hope that somehow it would bless you, our readers.

TV hosts & reporters of GMA Isyu Subong Negrense
Erwin Nicavera, Kat Valencia, myself and Stephanie Azucena

My column is entitled as such because this is my personal conviction.  I try to practice being grateful in every situation to the point of making it as natural as breathing. I aspire for this because I believe that being grateful is the key to happiness and to experiencing the fullness of life.

LCS Toddler students inspecting the growth
of their pechay as they study about plants.

One of the things that I am most thankful for is the blessing of finding my passion in educating children. During my first years of teaching, I was captivated by the charm of my 1-3 year old students.  Year after year, they have given me much joy and seeing them bloom into confident, loving, secure individuals with a healthy love for learning has given me much fulfilment.

LCS Toddlers watering their plants

As I involve myself more with the elementary and high school, I appreciate the school’s effort in finding the most effective ways in truly educating children and preparing them for life.  We are called an alternative school, using progressive education.  There is great respect for each individual and the school acknowledges that each child has a unique learning style and a special giftedness.  We make learning experiential for education to be more relevant to these children.

LCS students, the love and joy of Teacher Gretchen

It is in this little community that I find the miracles that I need to encourage me to keep on being grateful everyday, every moment, every breath.  Moments when I laugh with co-teachers about how adorable and funny our students are.  Moments when we get smothered by hugs and kisses (and we really do, every single day!).  Moments when I see children truly shining, truly growing, truly alive in their learning. 

At the shoot of GMA Isyu Subong Negrense at Bago City

Needless to say, no matter what challenges we are facing, there are countless blessings in our daily lives, if we only learn to be consciously aware and be appreciative of them. 

(Published for Sun Star Bacolod, Lifestyle Section, March 20, 2014)