By Kitty Abenojar & Hannah Camille Q. Baniqued 6-Lauan
As we were looking for someone to talk to at The Golden Acres, a Lola in the second to the last row of seats captured our attention. She was asking us to peel her orange. We did. We also had a few pictures with her.
When we were finally able to interact with her, we asked about her children, or if she had any. She did have one. Her daughter, as she remembers her, was a mestiza looking, four year old girl. It seemed enchanting for Lola to reminisce about her beautiful little girl. But she must also have been heart broken when her beautiful little girl died of a “hole” on her cheek (as we understood her). When asked about her other loved ones, we learned that she has lost all of them.
She doesn’t remember how she got to the Golden Acres. She had no visitors for a long time and she was surprised when we came. We told lola that if we ever make it to Quezon City Science (the neighbor school of Golden Acres) for high school, we would visit her frequently.
From that day on we loved her so much, like our own Lola.
There is one thing that we will by no means forget. We will never forget her name…Lola Lorenza Rola.
An institution that cares for senior citizens aged 60 and above, both male and female who are abandoned, neglected and needy. Golden Acres is located in Quezon City under DSWD-NCR and the two other homes for the elderly are located in Regions IX and XI.
Do you know who Teacher Germelina is? Well, Teacher Germelina Lising- Salumbides is our new Staff Development and Curriculum Coordinator. She came to THE LEARNING TREE because she wanted to help in the curriculum and in designing and planning the most effective way for the teachers to teach their lessons. She finished MS in Education in Bankstreet, New York and studied Visual Understanding in Education in Philip Yenawine (Museum of Modern Art), NY. She was also the one who thought about putting together the Resource Center so that there would be a room where different materials could be used for both teachers and children.
You would sometimes notice a face peeping in your classroom. That face belongs to Teacher Germelina. She takes a small peep in the classrooms to see how the teacher inside is teaching and how the students respond to the teacher.
Teacher Germelina is a very good friend of Teacher Francie. They both used to teach in the University of the Philippines. The traits she likes most about Teacher Francie were her love for Christ, her being a very good friend, and her pursuance of everyone’s best. And these traits are very well translated in school as she thinks that the school has very strong Christian values and the teachers here are committed to excellence. She likes the children here because they are happy, very respectful, and as she says, ”very good kids. ”.
Our new Curriculum coordinator has two very important tips for school for TLT children: one, enjoy your lessons and two, ask questions if you do not understand your teacher.
Happy learning with you Teacher Germelina!
I Like to Move it!
By Mia Gener, 5-Tinadalo
The following children have shown their talents through sports. THE LEARNING TREE is very proud of them. Below are their answers to some of my questions. Why don’t we get to know these great atheletes in the making!
Gymnast Hannah Kathleen L. Pangilinan, 3-Yakal
QWhat awards did you win in gymnastics so far?
AFrom the competitions I have joined so far, well, first, I got 36th place and 1 silver. Next, gold, 4th place, 6th place, bronze, one 6th place overall then gold, 1 silver, one 4th place, another one 25th place, one 1st place overall, one 2nd place overall, one silver, and 1 bronze.
QIs there anything you want to accomplish in the future?
AI want to try to win in the Olympics for the Philippines.
Swimmers Majian Isabel J. Taguba, 2-Talisay and Mira Nicole J. Taguba, 1-Narra
QHow do you divide your time for school and swimming lessons?
MajMy swimming is in the afternoon, after swimming I go home and do my homework. I still have time for other activities such as Taekwondo.
Mira My school is in the morning, and swimming is in the afternoon. I still have time for ballet.
QWhat habits do you practice to sharpen your skills?
MajI exercise to be strong and I study to be smart and I eat healthy food. I train well and dream to become an
Olympian.
MiraI train and exercise so my skills will go high.
Swimmer Rae Andrea Camille A. Rosas, 4-Anislag
Q.Why did you choose swimming of all sports?
AMy mom wanted to make my brother try swimming and she wanted me to keep him company but I was the one who continued.
QWhat made you continue to train in spite of your arm injury?
AI had a competition in Hong Kong. My team was going to do the girls relay. If I stop, they could not do the relay.
Swimmer Augustus Aramis A. Damian, 1-Narra
QWhat was your recent competition?
AMy recent competition was the Mantas Hongkong Invitational Swim Meet 2008, held in Hongkong last Nov. 8 & 9. I won bronze for 100 m backstroke and 3rd place High Point trophy.
QHow do you see yourself in the future?
ANever giving up, practicing hard, do the best I can do for me to be a good swimmer.
Glad to meet you, guys! THE LEARNING TREE offers an array of
Before and After School Enrichment Programs (B/ASEP) to provide
a chance for the children to explore their area of Interest. Enroll now
and perfect your talents (see B/ASEP, TLT Homepage).
What A Journey It Has Been
By: David G. Laureta, VI-Lauan
Our journey to reach the Science Olympiad Championship was never easy. The preparation for this was long and hard. It posed as a great challenge for us as the training doesn’t excuse us from any academic or school activities.
Our team last year sadly lost in the Finals. This year, we were determined to face the challenge once more and we vowed to take with us all the important lessons that we learned in our defeat.
Our journey was like that of an athlete in the Olympics. All the time, there was tension and nervousness as the emotional, mental, and physical stress weigh down upon us. The upside, though, is that the experience was a great learning opportunity. It allowed us to examine ourselves and our motives carefully. It made us to rely not on our own knowledge but we learned to depend more on God, the ultimate source of great wisdom. The experience has made us mature somehow.
Now, allow me to recount our journey, as a team, and the sacrifices and emotions that shaped the experience.
THE NATIONAL ELIMINATIONS, Sept. 6, 2008
Angelicum College, found in Sto. Domingo, Quezon City, was the venue of the Eliminations. Our team, Vica Fajardo (V-Tindalo), JM Estrella (VI-Almaciga), and I, took a two-hour, one hundred-item exam composing of the five science categories: Biology (Life Science), Health, Physical Science, Astronomy, and ICT (Information and Communication Technology).
The feeling of being nervous somehow gave us second thoughts about reaching the Finals. The difficulty of the exam reinforced the feeling, too. “Are we truly prepared for this battle,” I worried for a second.
The written exam ended at around two o’clock p.m. The wait for the results took three hours, which definitely added to the tension. There was a lot at stake during that time.
At around five-fifteen p.m., the results were ready to be announced. Tension was in our nerves. Our school, The Learning Tree, placed second in the eliminations in NCR, making us one of the twenty national qualifiers. Praise God! The moment of joy, ease, and comfort governed the aftermath of the announcement of the results.
Our training for the National Finals resumed at once.
THE NATIONAL FINALS, Sept. 27, 2008
PHIVOLCS Center, in Diliman, Quezon City, was the venue for the Finals. Our team, this time, faced a practical, theoretical, written, and an oral exam. The whole duration of the competition lasted from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon.
At the start, there were 20 schools. Tension among the qualifiers had started to build-up.
The practical exam was to be taken for seventy-five minutes only. It was composed of five stations representing each of the aforementioned categories. It was hard as we had to assemble a computer keyboard, plot the constellations, etc.
Right after finishing the practical exam, we proceeded to another room to take on the theoretical exam. This time, it was an essay-type of exam having the five categories again. It was very difficult because it tested our logical reasoning and we were under time pressure. Most of the questions (usually 2 to 5 questions per category) required explanations in five sentences only. We had to think methodically in order to arrive at very concise and complete answers.
Lunch break came and we had a little breathing space to ease off some tension. The elimination round was over. Only the ten top- scoring schools will proceed to the semi-final round. Announcements came and our team placed top 6.
Once all top ten schools were settled in the auditorium, the semi-final round took place. It was a written exam, where we answered using whiteboards. We lost track of the time span as the need for undeterred focus was at hand. The nervousness was also a factor that kept us focused as only the top five schools can move on to the last and final round. By the grace of God, we hung on to qualify for the last phase, we were top 5.
Tension was at its peak and only five schools were left. The final push for the home stretch began.
The oral exam, which is the final portion of the hectic competition, came. This was the most stressful part of the whole competition as we were required to press a buzzer in order to answer a question. It was too nerve-racking because the first to buzz in gets to answer first.
Almost everybody inside the auditorium seemed overwhelmed by the turn of events. The final round started after testing all the five buzzers.We took on an early lead but one school was only a point away from us.Our campaign for victory was almost at hand, therefore, the three of us rallied one another to secure our lead.
The final two questions were the most tension-filled of all. There was no answer for question number 19. Tension governed the whole auditorium. The crowd grew silent. Time was running out on question number 20, no school was buzzing. Our team is still on the lead.
‘5…4…3…,’ Excitement built-up, ‘2…1…0…’ Time has elapsed.
THE LEARNING TREE won!!! The moment of euphoria began as victory was attained after months of hard work and perseverance. Tears, soon, grew abundant on the faces of the teachers and parents. Extreme happiness enveloped our group. Praise the Lord!
Cheers flew. Faces beamed with joy. Victory attained. Mission accomplished. God glorified.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
On behalf of our team and coaches, we would like to thank you all for praying with us. Thank you for taking part in our journey. God bless your hearts.
The following is the transcript of my exclusive interview with Mr. Gabby Severino, Coach of the Ateneo Men’s Team A. He is also trainor of the TLT basketball clinic. He is married to Mommy Des Severino. They have three children, Amaya, in 2nd grade, Pablo in Preschool and Mateo a toddler.
Q. Why did you choose to be a coach in TLT? My daughter studies here and I found out there was no basketball program. So, I took the opportunity.
QHow many kids do you teach basketball to?
AI only had two kids last summer. This semester I have six, one from the summer clinic.
Q Is it hard to be a basketball coach? AFor me, it's easy because I was a basketball player before. I'm good at playing. It's easy to teach something to others when you're also good at it.
Q How old were you when you started coaching? or How long have you been coaching?
AI've been coaching for seven years.
QWhat is your favorite basketball team?
A.Ateneo, of course!
QWho is your favorite basketball player?
A.A lot. At the moment, I don't know. When I used to play, it was Michael Jordan. Now, it's Steve Nash.
QWas it always your dream to be a basketball coach?
ANo. My dream was to be a basketball player. I worked for five or six years before I pursued coaching. I was a corporate person first.
QWhat advice do you give to children who want to be a basket player or coach someday?
A.I always tell my students and players that they have to enjoy what they are doing and work hard.
QWhat advice do you give to children who really want to make it into a basketball team?
ASame. Hardwork. They also have to be persistent. They need to sacrifice a lot of time and effort. You need to practice the talents you have.
Coach Gabby holds Basketball Clinic at THE LEARNING TREE every Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
By Sabrina U. Espiritu, 6-Lauan
Haven’t you ever wondered how other countries celebrate Christmas? Teacher Naomi (TLT friend and guest from England) told me that kids had to sleep early on the day before Christmas (Dec. 24), or else Father Christmas (Santa) wouldn’t come.
Here are more ways other countries celebrate Christmas.
IRELAND
In Ireland, kids usually put Christmas sacks, instead of Christmas stockings! They leave mince pies (pies that have meat in them!!) and a bottle of Guinness out as a snack for Santa.
SPAIN
In Spain, Papa Noel delivers his presents by climbing balconies!?? YIKES! On January 6, the three wise men come to visit and also leave gifts for the little kiddies.
ST.LUCIA
In St. Lucia, houses are decorated with pots of poinsettias (flowers that have red leaves, mistaken for flower petals) as well as Christmas trees.
MEXICO
In Mexico, the kids there sometimes leave their shoes out instead of stockings. On Christmas Eve there is a parade of singers, carrying bells and candles on top of long poles.
NORWAY
In Norway, a bowl of porridge or “nisse” is left in the barn, during Christmas Eve for the gnome who protects the farm.
KENYA
In Kenya, churches are decorated with balloons, ribbons, flowers and green plants, including Christmas trees. Christmas dinner is often a barbecue with family members traveling from far away to be together again.
SWEDEN
In Sweden, “Jultomten”, a little brownie helps Santa Clause give gifts to the kiddies who have been good. During Christmas morning, churches are lit up entirely by candles for the Christmas service.
BRITAIN
In Britain, kids write letters to Father Christmas and then throw them into the fireplace so they can float up the chimney to the North Pole. If the letters or lists catch fire then the kids have to write their LONG lists all over again (Aww!). At Christmas dinner, they serve plum pudding, with little hidden surprises inside that bring the finders good luck! Did you know Britain was the first country to hang up mistletoe?
That’s it! Hope you learned how other countries Christmas traditions differ from our Christmas celebrations in the Philippines (in a good way)!
Sources: http://www.northpole.net/world.htm
Rising Star Ruben Laurente @ TLT
By Mia Gener, 5-Molave
Pop Virtuosity recording star Mr. Reuben Laurente is a very good friend of THE LEARNING TREE. We have heard him sing a couple times at our special events, including our first ever musical Clouds. We prayed for him when he gave his best at the recent World Champinships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) held in the United States where he won one gold (broadway), three silvers (jazz, pop, world) and one bronze (gospel) Even if he did not win the Grand Champion Performer of the World, we are so proud of another great Filipino talent who is also a good Christian.
In his text to Teacher Francie, he said “I could see a glimpse of God’s love through all of you kids. I have been so blessed by everything you did for me…Thank you for your encouragement and for supporting me in the way you could. I love THE LEARNING TREE family!”
We pray that Mr. Reuben will continue to soar to greater heights as he practices, records and sings wonderful music. We also thank Mr. Reuben for using his talent to spread the goodness of God as a Christian. God bless you, Mr. Reuben.
Stories of Triumph @ TLT
By Marinette T. Cabato and Vica Fajardo, 4-Kamagong
The first semester is over. There have been trials and accomplishments that students have faced. Below is a quick look at some of them:
☺ THE LEARNING TREE was 2nd placer among many schools that participated in the Science Olympiad Elimination 2007.The school representatives were: DAVID LAURETA (5th Gr.), JM ESTRELLA (5th Gr.) and AXEL BONDOC (6th Gr.) When you congratulate them make sure to keep in mind that you can also be like them. All you need to do is do your best! And if your best is not good enough, do Teacher Francie’s new motto, “Always exceed your best.” And don’t forget to remember that their victory is your victory, too!
☺ JERICHO GUTIERREZ (3rd Gr.) or “GOBS” as his friends fondly call won a bronze medal in Milo Little Olympics last August 19,2007. He is in 3rd Grade, 9 year-old boy and he is already in high blue level in teakwando. Such a tender age and such a great job!
☺ JAMES MANAYON (5th Gr.) is a PENTAX ARTIST. He started taking pictures with a professional camera when he was six years old. His father taught him and inspired him. He just likes taking pictures. He takes pictures of butterflies, flowers and portraits of people.
Here are his tips for young camera enthusiasts: -aim properly and don't just fire away; keep your subject in the right frame -Make sure the area is not too dark for the camera
☺MAJIAN (1ST Gr.) and MIRA TAGUBA (Preschool) made the The Learning Tree win ninth place in the 1st Quezon City Interschool Age Group Swimming Competition out of 22 schools that participated. They did many kinds of strokes that are hard like butterfly swim. I was able to do the butterfly when I was 9 years old and still is hard for me until now how wonderful that they can do it and they are just preschoolers.
☺ Cara Damian, a 6th Grader, started to skate when she was 4 years old. Cara’s first ice skating teacher was her dad. Her first inspiration was her mom. Two years after learning to skate, she started competing. Cara tries different kinds of sports and her interests are reading, writing, and sleeping!
Practice is required of her mostly everyday, except on Sundays. She trains real hard, especially before a competition. She’s happy that her sport doesn’t require any special diets!
Cara’s first competition was The Skate Manila. Her first international competition was in ISI (International Skating Institute) Worlds Boston, USA where she had her most embarrassing experience. She brought a prop which broke on the ice!
In her recent competition in ISI Worlds held in Illinois, USA she was awarded 3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze and 1 4th place medals. In Skate Asia 2007 held in SM Megamall, she received 3 gold and 2 silver medals.
101 WAYS TO FIGHT BOREDOM
By Katrina A. Abenojar, 5-Molave
Name
Ways to fight boredom:
T. Gracel
“Walk your dog.”
Aiah Santos
“Play PS2.”
Y-vi Vitangcol
“Vandalize newspapers.”
Ella Pangilinan
“Read if you have a book, draw if you have a pencil & paper…”
Alina Aficial
“Listen to music.”
Camille Baniqued
“Play with the computer.”
Kitty Abenojar
“Chat on YM, play neopets & watch Happy Tree Friends.”
Jeremy Guevarra
“Read books.”
Miguel Valenzuela
“Read books again and again.”
Justin Punzalan
“Play PSP.”
Marc Reyes
“Go to your bed & sleep, try to break a record & recycle papers.”
JM Estrella
“Play PSP or watch TV.”
Minette Marquez
“Listen to MCR, use the phone & use the Wii.”
Nixie Ologenio
“Go online!”
Megan Espina
“Use the Pc while listening to music.”
Benj Pangilinan
“Play with your toys.”
Julienne Depatillo
“Read.”
Chelsea Magbanua
“Chat in YM, watch TV, play games in electronics and swim.”
Innina Mananguit
“Play with dolls & plushies.”
Chris Dy
“Play violent games on the computer.”
Krisandra Mariano
“Read books & stuff.”
Marinette Cabato
“Read books, listen to music and write.”
Victoria Fajardo
“Read a book, watch TV and use the computer.”
T. Nino
“Play video games.”
Prince Marek
“Watch TV.”
Paolo Evangelista
“Read books.”
T. Joji
“Clean the house & play board games on the computer.”
Gabby Fonacier
“Read”
EI Publico
“Watch TV.”
Airaya Diamante
“Play games.”
Zion Cruz
“Read books.”
Kayla Franco
“Open the stereo.”
Star Echavez
“By listening to music.”
Je-an Cainglet
“I imagine things & read”
Luis Poe
“Chat and play computer games.”
Camille Rosas
“I watch TV”
Donny Pangilinan
“I play computer.”
Misha Fabian
“I watch television & play computer.”
Micheal Armas
“I just play computer.”
Bianca Reyes
“I weave & play computer games.”
T. Joey
“Pray.”
Kim Rubina
“Surf the web, and/or use YM.”
T. Mena
“Go to the computer room & do some computer work.”
Ervin Bailon
“Read a book, play outdoors, play video games & think of things.”
Bea Busog
“Read books, play outdoors, play games, and play computer.”
Justine Savet
“Play computer, Wii, PS2, & Game boy DS (X-Box too.)”
Daniela Abenojar
“Watch TV, use the computer, play game cube, draw & sleep.”
T. Irene
“Watch a movie & eat out.”
Clarisse Baniqued
“Texting.”
T. Rel
“Work.”
Ara Pangilinan
“Computer.”
Mark Armas
“Draw.”
Alex Abenojar
“Text.”
T. Rose Anne
“Read, read, and read.”
T. Ruby
“Write in your journal, read, draw & play games.”
T. Francie
“play the piano, chat with my mom and my husband and while stuck in traffic I look at peoples faces and wonder what their thinking about and look at their facial expressions like if their happy, sad or angry like if they look like they have a problem or something”
T. Heidi
“pray about not getting bored because boredom is the work of the devil and after you pray do something that will benefit others like clean your mom’s drawer or wipe your mom’s table.”
Sofia Echavez
“Chat, neopets.”
Daniela Reyes
“Read & listen to your IPod.”
Josiah Baylon
“Play computer.”
Margo Caparros
“Play.”
Hannah Pangilinan
“I do computer.”
Rhys Rebong
“I play Wii.”
James Manayon
“Walk around with nothing to do.”
Hannah Palima
“Go to sleep, buy a cell phone, charge your cell phone, put load in your cell phone, eat, find a text mate, write a story, write a poem, make a friendster, read, and listen to music.”
Trixie Miraflores
“I read, surf the internet, and go to you tube, I read magazines, etc..”
