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Kumon Philippines will be offering for free its Math and Reading Programs in all its centers nationwide on September 17-30, 2009 to allow more Filipino children and their parents to experience the benefits of the widely-recognized Kumon method.

The free trial campaign allows interested students to go through the same learning routine as regular Kumon students. Participants under the free trial campaign will attend four class days and receive daily worksheets at no cost.

According to Kumon Philippines president Mr. Norihiro Nakamura, “With these free trials, Kumon aims to provide parents a clearer picture of what we can do to help maximize their children’s capabilities. More than an organization that assists children with their academics, we also hope to equip the country’s next generation of leaders with Life Skills that will allow them to contribute positively to the community.”

Prior to their children attending the free trial lessons in the nearest Kumon center, parents will be taken through a scheduled orientation to help them gain a thorough understanding of the Kumon method and its benefits. Children will then be given a diagnostic test to allow instructors to gauge the participating kids’ specific starting point under the Kumon program. This way, the children can begin their Kumon experience comfortably and confidently.

After taking the diagnostic exam, the children may already be enrolled for the trial. Kumon instructors will recommend the appropriate learning program based on the child’s readiness level.

Interested parties can visit their nearest Kumon center or call the Kumon head office at (02)885 0226 or 1-800-1-888-0231 (toll-free outside Metro Manila) to inquire about the Free Trial Campaign. To find out where the nearest Kumon center is, they can also log on to Kumon Philippines’ website.

This is a media release from Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide – Manila.

About Kumon

Kumon is an after-school Math and Reading Program that uses a systematic and individualized approach to help children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study skills. In the Philippines, there are more than 200 centers nationwide wherein children develop their full potential. For more information, visit their website.

Sa mahalagang araw na ito, ibinabalik-alaala nating mga Pilipino ang Araw ng Kasarinlan ng ating bansa. Noong ika-12 ng Hunyo sa taong 1898, kumalas tayo nang buong layunin mula sa mga nagnakaw ng ating kalayaan matapos ang napakahaba’t magulong panahon. Ngunit, anupaman ang kalagayan ng ating bayan ngayon, anupaman ang mga suliraning ating dinaranas, tayo ay malaya, tayo ay Pilipino.

Nagagalak naman akong ipag-alam na ang Google, na siyang pinakamalaking search engine sa kasalukuyan, ay nakipagdiriwang sa atin ngayon. Sa pamamagitan ng Google Doodles, naipararating ng Google sa buong mundo ang halaga’t diwa ng ating kasarinlan at dangal bilang Pilipino.

Heto po ang isang magandang paliwanag mula sa kababayan ko’t kapwa blogger na si Andrew dela Serna, ukol sa Google Doodles.

Mabuhay ang Pilipino! Isulong ang ating Kalayaan! Pugsain ang anumang balakid sa ating Kapayapaan!

NO TO CON-ASS!!!

(This is a contributed article by Phillip Somozo, the 2nd of a 3-part series. Click here for Part 1.)

Davao Surreal Artist features in New York Exhibit celebrating John Milton and Paradise Lost

Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo* were the first Filipino visual artists to achieve international recognition by virtue of their winning gold and silver medals, respectively, in international painting competitions in 19th century Europe, during years when Modernism was still swelling as a wave to eventually sweep the world. Luna, especially, did it as a form of propaganda disclosing imperialist Spain’s unjust treatment of its then colony, Las Islas Filipinas. Unknown to these two Philippine art icons, a trail of artist followers would form behind them a century later, in terms of desiring to be recognized internationally, this time as a way out of the difficult artist condition (whose condition is easy anyway?) in the Philippines. As result, a number of contemporary pinoy painters are now represented by established galleries in some of the world’s art centers. Whether they are financially better off now and happier is, of course, another question.

Bienvenido Bones Banez is a surrealist artist from Davao City who is not after monetary rewards in his artistic pursuits, but is definitely happier since he based himself in New York because he is experiencing acceptance and recognition of his talent. Now, he is posed to enter the portals of art history as the only Filipino invited to exhibit work in what is projected to be the grandest-ever celebration honoring the blind man-turned-literary immortal John Milton and his classic masterpiece, Paradise Lost. Banez’s participation is more significant in that of the more than 60 visual artists from all over the world, who will display work, he is one of only three who are distinguished as featured.

In his emailed letter to this writer, WAH Center President and Executive Director Terrance Lindall announced that Bienvenido Bones Banez has been named a "Featured Artist" in the Paradise Lost show in September 27-November 2, 2008, at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in Brooklyn, NYC, USA, along with two other outstanding artists, Kris Kuksi and Rich Buckler. Terrance said of Ben (Banez’s nickname):

"I know of no artist whose work so sincerely expresses his heart felt belief and knowledge that we live in a Satanic time. Ben calls this his ‘666 World.’ He sees humans as possessing the ability to make a Paradise on Earth and yet devoting their energies for wealth, power, and self gratification at the expense of their fellow beings. It is a contradiction to pursue selfish interests for one’s own satisfaction by creating misery for one’s neighbor. No lasting satisfaction can ultimately come from it. Ben is right in that Satan surely has the world in his clutches while encouraging nations and individuals to dominate one another for wealth and resources. Until another Jesus or Ghandi appears to lead us to the light, we are in dark times and dire straits. One should look deeply into Ben’s paintings to see what we have become and are becoming in this ‘666 World’. True poets and artists must be called upon to sound the alarm. Ben has answered the call!

“He paints as if he is plugged into a wall socket and the energy that pours forth through his brain and fingertips to the canvas comes out in pulses of scintillating colors,” adds Lindall.

Kris Kuksi is one of the most highly regarded artists in the contemporary surreal/visionary movement. His work is in the collection of Chris Weitz, Director of the movie, The Golden Compass, based upon Philip Pullman’s book and grounded in John Milton’s Paradise Lost. Richard “Rich” Buckler is an American comic book artist best known for his work on Marvel Comics’ The Fantastic Four in the mid-1970s. He will be producing a portrait of John Milton for the 21st century, unveiling of which will be at the Costume Ball.

Of the participating performing artists, Polish surrealist fashion designer Olek, herself a stunning beauty, will be of particular interest to beholders of the absurdly beautiful as she unravels her latest unique creation with her company of models parading, preening and posing throughout all three floors of the exhibit venue during the ball (see sample photo of her 2003 debut also at WAH Center). Another is playwright/musician/composer Peter Dizozza, described as an “incredibly unique talent,” who will present his musical mystery play “Paradise Found!”

Other performing artists are scheduled intermittently to grace the celebration all the way to November 2: the jazz bar-favorite JC Hopkins Biggish Swing Band; Yana Schnitzler with Human Kinetics Movement Arts – a “mesmerizing”, interactive, cutting-edge dance group; a band of musicians led by Arthur Kirmss dressed in 17th century costume belting out Baroque tunes; and poet S. David as tour guide.

The historical exhibit includes Miltonia; a handwritten Torah scroll of the Book of Genesis — approximately 300 to 400 years old, original copies of Paradise Lost; old woodcuts and engravings; and Royal British memorabilia.

Entrance ticket to the ball is very affordable at $40 for art and entertainment that could go into the annals of history.

* Simon Flores y de la Rosa was reported by the Ayala Museum as having won silver award in the Philadelphia Universal Exposition in 1876, several years earlier than Luna and Hidalgo earned their medals; thus, accordingly, should be credited as the first Filipino artist to receive international recognition.

(Watch out for the concluding Third Part of this series after the grand costume ball in September 28!)