Los Baños Municipality supports Children with Autism

Posted on December 15, 2012 by rbvillar

By Ladylove May Baurile and Gretzel Lantican

Los Baños, Laguna- The Los Baños municipal government in partnership with the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) Laguna Chapter held today “The Los Baños Community Center for Therapy, Intervention & Support Services” to show support to children with autism.

Ambassador Christopher Thornly was welcomed by the attendees of the seminar as he arrived at the Los Baños Municipal Hall (photo by GLantican).

Some of the highlights of the event included the arrival of the Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Christopher Thornly, performances of the autistic children and gift-giving by the organizers.

“We really know how much you put into this. This is really why I am here today… to give superior honest support and to perhaps give keen start, to help you out a little bit, to do all the wonderful work that you’re doing because I know… when we’re in it together it’s so much easier”, said Ambassador Thornly.

Sixty participants attended the event wherein twenty of them will be selected to attend the four-day seminar funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

Sixty participants attended the event organized by the municipality of Los Baños and Autism Society of the Philippines (photo by LMBaurile).

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ASP kasi ‘yung anak ko na four years old alam ko kakaiba pero sabi ko na lang aalagaan ko na lang kasi walang pera kaya nagpapasalamat ako na meron daw mag-iisponsor (I am thankful for ASP because I know that my four-year old child is special but I just said that I will just take care of him since we don’t have money so I am thankful that there will be sponsors),” said Mrs. Diyo, mother of an autistic child.

The said seminar will be divided into four portions namely “Understanding My Child’s Disability”, “How to Increase my Child’s Compliance”, “Break-out Sessions by Nature of Disability” and “Behavioral Disability.”

“Children with autism can have better outcomes… Our partnership with the embassy of Canada brings new hope to the families and children with autism in Los Baños, the project that was only a dream many years ago is now a reality,” shared Rizalina Cansanay, president of ASP Laguna Chapter.

UPLB holds “Off the Street, On to School” program

Posted on December 14, 2012 by rbvillar

By Ladylove May B. Baurile

The Counseling and Testing Division (CTD) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, along with the UPLB Gabay Volunteer Corps and Kairos band organized “Off the Street, On to School” program yesterday at the Student Union Lobby for the street children and their parents in Los Baños.

Separate programs were prepared for both children and their parents. A talent-values camp highlighted the children’s program, wherein members of the UPLB Gabay Volunteer Corps helped children showcase their talents like singing, dancing, acting and drawing. The volunteers and members of the Rotary Club of Los Baños also gave testimonials and snacks afterwards.

Meanwhile, the seminar for parents was facilitated by Dr. Leticia Afuang, Office of Student Affairs (OSA) director, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“Ginagawa namin ang ‘Off the street, On to School’ para ma-encourage namin ang mga bata, particularly mga street children sa Los Baños na nagbebenta ng sampaguita at mga mani, na mag-aral… kaya nagbibigay tayo ng school supplies… para makita rin nila ang importansya ng pag-aaral (We hold the ‘Off the street, On to School’ program to encourage children to study, especially those who live in the streets or those who spend time selling sampaguitas and peanuts…we give out school supplies as well for them to also see the importance of schooling),” said Gama Javier, a GABAY volunteer.

According to Dr. Erick Vernon Dy, counselor and head of UPLB Gabay Volunteer corps, the event aims at assisting parents and also to help them develop the passion of teaching education’s importance to their children.

Dance competition, training for indigent but academically excellent students, giving of books by the Kairos Band to Bernaldo Calara Elementary School and recognition for long-time supporters of the program were also done. At the end, the counselors and volunteers gave loot bags with school materials and clothing to the participating families.

“Basically gusto namin makatulong sa mga kabataan dito sa Elbi lalo na ngayong pasko kaya nga ako nagvolunteer dito kasi gusto ko yung ginagawa nila at naisip ko na isa rin iyon sa mga gusto kong gawin bilang isang kabataan (Basically, we wanted to help the children here in Los Baños especially now that it’s Christmas season… I volunteered for this event because I support what Gabay does and I also thought that this is one activity that I would want to pursue as part of the youth),” shared Cheska Bon, another volunteer.

The “Off th Street, on to School” outreach program is an annual event in UP Los Baños and is now in its 8^th year.

Rock Rizal rouses UPLB community’s nationalism

Posted on December 13, 2012 by rbvillar

by Nicolle Andrea S. A. Payuyo and Gumamela Celes Bejarin

UPLB, Laguna—Some of the country’s best musicians rocked the UPLB Freedom park yesterday as a tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150^th birth anniversary.

Some of the country’s best musicians performed at the Rock Rizal concert held at UPLB Freedom Park. (Photo by Nicolle Andrea S. A. Payuyo)

The concert is a different mode of learning which aims to enhance the UPLB’s sense of service and patriotism as Filipinos. Popular local bands and artists who performed were Oktaves, Sandwich, Ebe Dancel, Gary Granada, Lolita Carbon and many more. There were also performances from UPLB students during the battle of the bands. The performing artists wrote songs based on the different facets of Dr. Jose Rizal’s life.

Rock Ed Philippines, a volunteer group working to provide venues and events for alternative education, is the sponsoring organization for Rock Rizal. Local hosts for this event are the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Office of the Dean, UPLB Department of Social Sciences (DSS) History Division, and the Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA).

Student organizations who participated in organizing the event are Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP), Buklod-UPLB, Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan (SAKBAYAN), and UPSILON SIGMA PHI (USP).

Rock Rizal is a concert organized as a tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150^th birth anniversary. It is also part of the 40^thfounding anniversary celebration of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bringing the concert to Laguna is apt since it is the home province of our beloved national hero. Rizal, who represents the synergy of arts and science, is an epitome of the College of Arts and Sciences.

17 candidates showcase their talents for Miss Los Baños

Posted on December 13, 2012 by rbvillar

by Ladylove May B. Baurile

Los Baños, Laguna – 17candidates representing the 13 barangays of Los Baños showed their talents last night for the Miss Los Baños Talent Night.

Among the representatives are Arnie Delideli (Mayondon), Jarmaine Acebedo (Bayog), Margielyn Icarro (Lalakay), Jane Frances Palis (San Antonio), Maricar de Luna (Maahas), Julie Anne Baltazar (San Antonio), Louisse Ann Perez (Timugan), Aira Mae Trinidad (Batong Malake), Roxanne Siman (Bambang), Lovely Garcia (Bambang), Beverly Hintural (Bayog), Victoria Banagan (Timugan), Jielleen Banatlao (Lalakay), Rubelyn Malitic (Bayog), April Rose Dichoso (San Antanio), Mikki Pamulaklakin (San Antonio) and Jonnadel Dongsal (Timugan).

“Overwhelmed ako kasi ako yung nag-iisang nagrerepresent nung barangay namin and flattered kasi nandoon ang support nila (I was overwhelmed because I am the sole candidate representing our village, and the support they’ve shown me is flattering),” said Arnie Delideli of Brgy. Mayundon. She also added that when joining pageant you are really expecting to win but not for popularity but for experience.

“I won’t expect too much [on coronation night], simpleng maging member lang ako dito masaya na ako,” shared Mikki Pamulaklakin of Brgy. San Antonio.

Beauties from the different barangays of Los Baños showcase their talents in a night of song, dance, and wonder as they compete for the titile of Miss Los Baños 2012. (Photo by Joan Nacorda)

The judges for the said event are Prof. Joan Luna of UPLB Department of Human Kinetics, Mr. Jose Emmanuel Lingao of McDonald’s Vega Center, Mr. Ever John Guce of Globe Telecom, Ms. Emma Izon of Philippine High School for the Arts and the chairman of the panel of judges, Prof. Naomi Enriquez of UPLB Department of Human Kinetics and Philippine Dance Sports Association.

The criteria for judging are execution (2.5 points), originality (2.5 points), choreography or musicality (2 points), projection (1 point), costume (1 point) and overall impact (1 point).

According to Ms. Twila Torres, the coordinator of the event, Miss Los Baños was originally a part of the Bañamos Festival but was rescheduled to focus on the flood affected barangays. “Since this is Christmas and we wish to give the people little happiness, merriments, festivities, the municipality… decided to do it here since because of the Habagat parang it’s not a proper time to celebrate,” added Ms. Torres.

Miss Los Baños, now on its eleventh year, is a part of Paskuhan sa Bagong Los Baños. The swimming competition occurs 8 am today and the coronation night on December 15.

The 17 candidates posed for one last time. The winner of the title Miss Los Baños, the Best in Talent award and other minor awards will be done at the Coronation Night this December 15, 2012. (Photo by Joan Nacorda)