A Definite Treat this Halloween

Rock for HUManity, a group formed in 2006 by young professionals who bonded with passion for music and the arts, brought their passion to a higher level to pursue the advocacy of advancing the cause of humanity by giving back to the community.

Starting with charity drives, RHum has now expanded to other activities such as community bazaars which aims to showcase local products in the community and other interesting items produced by indiepreneurs -- young and independent artists-entrepreneurs. The RHum TRAVELING COMMUNITY BAZAAR brings you: A HALLOWEEN BAZAAR FOR KIDS & KIDS AT HEART, happening this October 30, 2011, Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Bulwagang Claret, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Mahinhin St., U.P. Village, Diliman, Q.C.

The bazaar will will feature food items, handicrafts, junk art, apparel, accessories, artworks, books, paper crafts, toys, vintage items, organic products, indie records, furniture and housewares, novelty items and more. There will also be fun activities for both kids and adults to enjoy: henna tattoo and face painting, photo booth, art and recreational activities, Halloween kiddie costume contest, kiddie fashion show, Halloween cupcake design contest and bazaaristas' trick or treat. Entrance is FREE.

The RHum Halloween Bazaar is for the benefit of child-focused institutions in need of learning materials. The group welcomes any donations of books, school supplies, school bags,toys and other educational materials.

For inquiries on how you can join or support their future events, email rhumobile@gmail.com or contact 0915-2519079.

Filed under EVENTS

Apl.de.ap: We Can Be Anything

In a progressing country such as ours, education is the one thing that parents can give their children to ensure a bright future because unlike material things, the knowledge and values we derive from school can't be taken from us. "With education, we can be anything!" is the echoing message that Apl.de.ap, the Filipino-American member of the world-famous Black Eyed Peas, wants to impart to the Filipino youth through his education advocacy campaign.

The "We Can Be Anything" education advocacy had a soft launch yesterday at the Grand Sunset Pavilion of Sofitel Philippine Plaza and provided selected media and guests a glimpse of the joint advocacy project of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and the Apl.de.ap Foundation. The grand launch will be done at the Black Eyed Peas' Manila concert at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds on October 25.

We have seen how apl.de.ap has always been proud of being a Filipino as heard in his music and interviews. This education advocacy gives him a greater chance to help the Filipino youth and he uses his music and influence to enjoin others support the project. "I was born here and I'd like to give back to the Philippines by making it possible for more kids to go to school," Apl.de.ap said. "I would not have gotten this far were it not for education, and I'd like to be able to help the youth to achieve their dreams."

Black Eyed Peas' Apl.de.ap

The press conference was opened by Rafael Lopa, president of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), by giving an overview of what the education advocacy campaign is all about and how it came to be.

NCAF president Rafael Lopa

"We Can Be Anything" will support private sector efforts to build public school classrooms and other learning centers nationwide. As the NCAF's iamninoy-iamcory movement special ambassador for education, Apl.de.ap is lending his magic to boost programs like the Bayanihang Pampaaralan program of the 57-75 Education Reform Alliance which seeks to build 10,000 new classrooms within two years.

Mario Deriquito, one of the convenors of the 57-75 alliance

To get more people involved in raising the funds, the Ten Moves campaign was born. Spearheaded by the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Ten Moves espouses the "10 pesos per day for 10 months" donation -- or P3,000 donation from each Filipino -- that would help finance the construction of the classrooms. According to Mr. Lopa, "It costs about P600,000 to P650,000 to build one classroom. So far, out of the 726 classrooms pledged, 428 have been constructed."

DepEd Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera

Department of Education Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera shared," DepEd's Key Mandates are: ensuring that all school-age children are in school; keeping the children in school; and providing the children quality education." The shortage in classrooms makes it difficult for DepEd to meet their key mandates since it reduces government's ability to accommodate all school-age children. The lack of education infrastructure also affects the children's interest in staying in school, thus affecting learning.

"We Can Be Anything" Video

The upbeat song "We Can Be Anything" was composed by Apl to make the youth relate to the advocacy campaign. An accompanying music video that Apl.de.ap co-produced with his best friend and B.E.P. colleague Will.i.am is currently being shown on TV and online. Share the video to spread the word.

Apl.de.ap telling his life story and why he is campaining for education

As the NCAF's iamninoy-iamcory movement special ambassador for education, Apl.de.ap was asked how he was as a student and he quipped, "I did pretty well!" Although he had trouble back then as a student because of his eyesight problem which gave him a hard time seeing the blackboard, he told us that , "I just copy notes from my classmates or I move my seat closer to the blackboard to see better. My adoptive father was very proud of my grades."

When asked about his favorite subject in school, he answered, "English," and shared this anecdote, "I knew I was going to be adopted so I asked my mom how I can improve my English and she advised me to read the dictionary."

As a student Apl "did pretty well."

It was no secret that Apl.de.ap was given good education (and a better eyesight via an operation) by the family who adopted him and brought him to the United States of America. "I still cherish my Pinoy roots and I would like to give back whatever I can to the Philippines. The best way to do that, I feel, is by creating opportunities for young Filipinos, " thus, the birth of the Apl Foundation in 2008 to help various communities and children within the Philippines and through out Asia.

(l-r) Mario Deriquito, Rafael Lopa, Apl.de.ap, Lino Rivera and Audie Vergara

Noticing how the education campaign seems to focus on resources for public school school classrooms, I asked them, "Do you have plans to come up with a campaign to help the Filipino teachers as well? Mr. Lopa said that plans to help teachers get proper incentives and proper training as definitely in the pipeline.

Advocacy materials: t-shirt, button pin and celphone charm

To know more about the campaign or to support it, visit www.wecanbeanything.com or www.facebook.com/WeCanBe AnythingHeroes.

Filed under EVENTS

My SHIRT Story

How my simple aspiration became someone's inspiration.

I've been drawing ever since I can remember: started at the age of 3 or 4 and joined my first art contest and won it at the age of 5. Since then, I've set my mind on taking up fine arts in college but while working my way through grade school, I became active in art contests in and out of school.

Most memorable were winning the VITA (famous soy-based drink in the 80s) drawing contest at the age of 8 (as representative of Stella Maris College) and was interviewed on TV at The Children's Hour show hosted by June Keithley (wife to broadcaster Angelo Castro and mother to former teen actor Diego Castro) and winning the Easter Sunday art contest at the former Philippine Plaza hotel (now known as Sofitel) and using the prize gift certificate for my first taste of hotel dining. In school, I also became a young entrepreneur and started selling my drawings (of various anime and super hero characters) to classmates.

My Shirt.

Then one day, while shopping with mom at a bazaar, I found this gray shirt with royal blue piping bearing the word 'ARTISTIC' smack in the center. Hey! Is this serendipity or what? So I grabbed it from the clothes rack and asked my mom to buy it for me. I wore it to school programs, especially on Career Week, and also on weekends when we go to church and then to the mall. I felt so good wearing it, proud even, as the shirt "announced" to everyone that I am 'artistic.'

The framed magazine feature and my 'ARTISTIC' shirt.

Then came the opportunity for more "public exposure" when I was tapped to be featured on the "Junior MOD" section of then famous women's magazine MOD at the age of 12. I was asked to prepare several outfits for the pictorial but I really chose to wear my fave 'artistic' shirt over a crisp white polo shirt and jeans. I don't have the actual photo taken by the magazine photographer but I was able to save the actual magazine page, which is proudly display at home in a simple frame.

Apart from my artistic ventures, I was a diligent honor student who tried to be every one's friend. I really didn't think that my creativity made a huge impact in school apart from being in charge of classroom and stage decorations, and winning art contests. This continued well into college where I took fine arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, major in Advertising Arts. I started my career as a graphic artist but climbed my way up into the world of marketing communications. Nowadays, I no longer do the creative stuff for work but in my personal time, I use my artistic juices in creating fashion accessories that I sell online and in bazaars.

It was only recently, maybe a year ago, when I joined some former high school classmates for dinner and found out that my artistry made a real impact to one of them. She told me that I inspired her to be more creative and she even chose to become a graphic artist herself. That revelation just blew me away. I mean, I am just a simple person compared to others, and yet I was able to inspire another person in my own little way.

Me and my souvenirs from a not-so distant past.

When I learned about the MY SHIRT STORY blogging contest, only one shirt popped out of my mind -- the only one I've kept all these years even if I couldn't wear it anymore -- my 'ARTISTIC' shirt. I love this shirt! Now I want someone else to love it, too! I support the Electrolux Wash-athon Clothes Donation Advocacy.

Does Your Company Need Rescuing?

It is always good to aim and pursue continuous learning even if we are done with school and are now earning a living. Good thing there are seminars out there that we can partake of to be updated with new ideas and facts. Concerned with the steep registration fees? Try looking for credible companies who give free seminars as part of their advocacy.

Perhaps this would interest you.


BusinessWorld, in cooperation with Mansmith & Fielders, Inc., presents Marketing Rescue on April 25, 2010, 1 to 5 pm (registration starts at 12 noon), at the Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner De la Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. Featuring the topic "Back-to-Basics Marketing: Build, Replicate, Accelarate," the event will have as speakers husband and wife dynamic duo Josiah Go and Chiqui Escareal-Go.

"Back-to-Basics Marketing" will answer such questions as: What are steps in marketing to grow your business profitably? How do you evaluate and redirect your marketing effort? How do you use innovation in marketing to gain and sustain competitive advantage?

This is a FREE marketing consultancy seminar wherein the attendees get to raise/ask marketing concerns regarding the companies they represent. How does this work? To reserve your FREE seat, just email your name, company, position and contact details to marcom@bworld.com.ph with the subject RESERVE ME A SEAT AT THE MARKETING RESCUE FORUM, on or before April 19. Also include in the registration your most pressing marketing related problem. The first 10 specific questions will be answered by Josiah Go (product questions) & Chiqui Escareal-Go (service questions). Seats are limited to only 50.

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About BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation

BusinessWorld (http://www.bworldonline.com) is the first and leading business newspaper in the country, with over four decades of experience in economic journalism. From merely reporting the latest news on business and the economy, BusinessWorld has evolved to become the premier business news and information provider to the country’s industry movers and decision makers -- through print, online and learning events.

About Mansmith & Fielders, Inc.

Mansmith & Fielders (http://www.mansmith.net) is the country’s leading consultancy firm that “helps your marketing and sales teams soar!” Established in 1989, it is composed of successful practitioners and entrepreneurs with strong theoretical backgrounds. Mansmith & Fielders is a specialists in Marketing and Sales, Strategy and Innovation Training offering segmentized programs to its clientele.

Mansmith & Fielders has a column called "Mansmith Mentors" which appears in BusinessWorld's Wealth Manager section every Monday.

About the speakers

JOSIAH GO, Mansmith & Fielders Chairman and Chief Marketing Strategist, is a successful entrepreneur and the most awarded business educator in the Philippines. He is recipient of the Agora Awards, TOYM, Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of the world, Lifetime Achievement Award in marketing education, and the World Brand Leadership Award. He took advance marketing, strategy and innovation program at MIT Sloan, London Business School, Wharton and Kellogg.

CHIQUI ESCAREAL-GO, Mansmith & Fielders President and Chief Service Strategist, is author / co-author of 4 marketing books, an adjunct faculty member of the Ateneo de Manila University, CEO of Mansmith Group of Training Companies (Mansmith and Fielders Inc., Corporate Achievers Institute, Day 8 Business Academy Inc), recipient of the Trailblazer Entrepreneur Award 2011 and has attended executive education in Harvard, Kellogg, Columbia/Ceibs and Berkeley.