If there is one thing very positive about Facebook, it keeps us connected to people we have met in the past.

As a teacher, Facebook made it easier for me to “keep track” of my former students. One way or another I know what they are up to, what keeps them busy or what they feel and what their opinions are in some relevant social issues.

I can stand back and observe, put a word or two when asked, applaud (albeit virtually) when they accomplish something big or small and feel proud that I have been a part of their lives.

I may not be able to physically tap their backs for a job well done nor be there to see the boss compressor at guitar center that they recently bought nor even laugh (or cry!) with them, I know that they all have a space in my heart, whether I  still remember their names (those I do not have contact with anymore) or not.

I just hope I have a big enough heart for all of them. I am also glad that we are still “under each others’ radar” even if it is only through virtual connection.

Ever heard of Katamino?

I admit I wouldn’t know what that is if I won’t Google the term.

I bought Katamino a few months back. This is definitely not easy to accomplish even if it looks like it is easy.

The photo shows shows the shapes of the Katamino I got. I would prefer the ones made of wood but this will make do for now.

Katamino will test one’s creativity, logic, problem-solving, planning and perception on how things go together. The geometric shapes look easy to fit to make the task done but do not be too sure about how everything fits together.

Should I feel old?

A few of my former students are now in college. One is taking up culinary arts, the others are in various fields: two of them in Fine Arts, one in Multimedia Arts (I think we is gearing for a career as a ux professional), another in Film while another one just had his professional license to be a librarian.

And now our eldest daughter is bound for college.

I feel proud of them. I am.

I know how difficult it is to help shape them to be able to face what challenges that the future has in store for them. I can not say I played a big role in all of them as they were growing up, though some at least three of these wonderful kids spent almost a decade of weekly visits with me.

No, I definitely not feel old. I feel accomplished

I am happy for a former student who has completed a college degree and passed the board exams for that degree. The three students I have mentioned in this post are thriving.

Though I have not been a part of his support system in the latter part of his education, I am a proud to be in his support system during his formative years. We are still in touch through yes, Facebook

I still know what goes on with some of my students even if I don’t see them anymore. There are those who are still in school and there are those who are working in their family’s businesses.

There are no monetary rewards that can top seeing that all the hard work resulted in these accomplishments in their lives. I also hope that some of the real life skills/ lessons I have imparted with them has helped them in being able to cope with the challenges that come their way.

We do have our expectations and it is best that we support our children (and in my case, my students) with whatever goals they want to achieve.

Yesterday, December 1, 2012, PWD Thanksgiving Celebration was held at the Manila Zoo.

Manila Mayor Fred Lim was the guest of honor. He said in his speech the City Hall of Manila employs around 200 PWDs.

Guests and advocates who delivered messages were John Chua, A PWD Advocate and famous photographer;  Engr. Bien Mateo, Chairman of SM Program on Disability Affairs; Mr. Tony Pasia, representing all PWD Organizations.

The guests of the event were treated to intermission numbers by the ASP Dream Girls who sang a medley of pop songs, PHWHIC Kids who did a Gangnam Style dance number and the Nelmida Twins and the Ambassadors of Light who delighted the guests with their songs.

There was also a bird show c’/ Manila Zoo, Ventriloquist Show and Bubble Show .

Photography with a Difference supported the event with the participating groups:

• ADHD Society
• Autism Society of the Philippines
• Down Syndrome Society of the Philippines, Inc
• Parents Advocates for Visually Impaired Children
• Parent Council for the Welfare of Hearing Impaired Children, Inc.
• Philippine Society of Orphan Disorders

The PWD Thanksgiving Celebration was sponsored by the following: City of Manila, Kinder Zoo Adventure Jungle, Canon Philippines and SM Cares Foundation.

A few more photos here.

UBS Optimus Foundation partnered with Teach for the Philippines with CHF 1 million or approximately Php43,000,000 grant.

If you are a highly motivated, highly creative and has a heart for changing the lives and quality of education from high needs school, then you are exactly what Teach for the Philippines is looking for. Click here to know more about the application process.

Teach for the Philippines, formerly known as Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation, is a leadership development program that trains high-potential, highly motivated and creative leaders who are willing to teach at some of the identified high need schools in the Philippines.  UBS Optimus Foundation’s grant will support for over five years Teach for the Philippines in promoting educational equality.

Teach for the Philippines will recruit and train the most promising university graduates and young professional to invest two years to teach at one of the chosen public schools in the Philippines. The UBS Optimus Foundation’s grant will fund the training program, professional development activities and other support programs needed to fully to help the successful chosen teaching fellows in their foray into the public school system.

The inspiration for Teach for the Philippines is from a successful global program Teach for All which has been empowering the world’s most promising young leaders in transforming their nations through education, working to ensure that children who live in poverty have access to excellent education.
“UBS Optimus Foundation is delighted to announce our new partnership with Teach for the Philippines. We believe in the importance of human capital and how education can play a transformational role. In Asia Pacific, the Foundation supports 33 projects across 18 countries. We hope our support to Teach for the Philippines can lead to life-changing experiences that will positively shape the future of Philippines’ youth and help them achieve their full potential,” said Kathryn Shih, Board Member of UBS Optimus Foundation.

Lizzie Zobel, Teach for the Philippines’ co-founder and Chairman said: “This innovative new partnership in the Philippines allows us to tap into the talent within our country to build a lasting legacy for the next generation. We are collaborating closely with the Department of Education to enhance the programs which will develop the potential of teachers within the Philippine public education system. Our shared goal with the Department of Education and the local government units is to ensure that all children will have the opportunity to access high quality education. We are proud that the UBS Optimus Foundation has chosen to partner with us, bringing not only funding but global expertise which will help advance our cause.”

 Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for All and Teach for America said: “This bold move by the Teach for the Philippines’ team is representative of a society steadfast in its objective to uplift the future generation of your nation. I join them as they take a stand and begin making giant steps to bring us closer to our shared vision – One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.”

In this new initiative, Teach for the Philippines is working with Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Poverty Action Lab to provide a robust system to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of this program, identify successful elements that can be replicated in future educational projects and disseminate this knowledge to policymakers.

Phyllis Costanza, CEO of the UBS Optimus Foundation on the project: “We look forward to collaborating with Teach for the Philippines on this exciting new educational initiative as co-founders Lizzie Zobel and Margarita Delgado have had a longstanding experience through the Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation in promoting high quality education for all children, regardless of their background.”

UBS Optimus Foundation has been funding health programs in the Philippines: rabies education and vaccination program in Bohol, controlling and elimination of schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease, in Samar and a project about malaria disease in Palawan.

What is UBS Optimus Foundation:

The UBS Optimus Foundation is an independent grant-making organization which is funded by UBS clients and employees. The foundation’s administrative costs are paid by UBS meaning that 100 percent of all client donations go directly to the projects. The UBS Optimus Foundation’s employees carefully select all projects based on their technical expertise, provide systematic feedback on the program’s implementation and performance, leverage their network of international experts and facilitate an external evaluation of the project.

Since 1999, the UBS Optimus Foundation has supported children in the areas of health, education and child protection with innovative, cost-effective initiatives that impart lasting benefits. The UBS Optimus Foundation is a part of UBS’s dedicated philanthropic support to its clients globally.

Teach for the Philippines
‘Teach for the Philippines’ is a non-profit professional Philippine organization that enlists the Philippines’ most promising future leaders in our mission to promote education equality. ‘Teach for the Philippines’ is an official partner of Teach for All, the prestigious education network with 26 members globally.