SM Mall Of Asia hosting Philippine Ice Hockey Tournament

When I got to watched a ice-skating competition at Mall Of Asia, I asked myself if there will be a chance that we can have our own hockey team. When I got invited to see the new skating rink outside the mall, SM is hosting their first hockey league event.

Not only that, the hockey tournament is participated by different countries who are just as excited to see the new hockey rink. There are different leagues by age group. When I got to see the oldest age group, I got excited because they are the ones who really breed hockey.

Not only that we got to have our own hockey team, there will also be changes. Mall of Asia has a new skating rink. The reason is not just for the competitors of hockey team and the figure skaters to have a professional rink. Having a rink inside the mall is not advisable since the mall is still open and the ice is not secured enough for the ice not affected in the bigger space of the mall. It has to be confined in a smaller space just right for the skating rink so they built a new one in the parking lot between The Arena and SMX. The old rink inside the mall will be removed.

Not only that we have a new rink, hockey teams within the Southeast Asia are not only excited to compete for the PIHT but also excited to try the new rink. But the best part of the game is witnessing a real hockey match the way the American teams does. I saw how strong they hit the puck against the wall. They even got slammed against the wall. This is the first time I saw a team sport with more physical contact.

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Debunking the Myths about Teaching Online: What You Need to Know

Press release

Online teaching has become one of the most popular careers that many people are pursuing nowadays. For example, in 51Talk, the country’s fastest growing online English Language Teaching (ELT) platform, there are currently about 4,000 online teachers and counting. As many may want to consider teaching online because of the convenience that the job brings, one must know the facts versus myths about online teaching in order to make an informed decision. Here are the most common myths. 

Myth #1: Teaching online takes less time and effort.

Fact: Teaching online requires just as much hard work, commitment, and effort as other regular jobs, if not more. You need to commit time not just for the teaching session itself, but also for the preparation beforehand and your own personal study. Your work does not begin and end with the online lesson or class. You need to allocate time to prepare your materials, and you need to read further so that you can increase the quality of your input. With all this hard work, effort and perseverance are a must.

Myth #2: Teaching online does not require a lot of skill nor training.

Fact: While it is true that experience is not required for you to be an online teacher, it is crucial that you develop the skills for it and receive substantial training to teach. A person may have a gift for speaking well and confidently, but he or she may not necessarily have the capacity or demeanor to teach and listen patiently to students. Hence, you need proper training for you to have the right mindset and develop the appropriate skill sets. In 51Talk, all the online teachers get thorough training—and it is not just a matter of knowing what and how to teach. The teachers are also taught how to motivate and display patience and encouragement.

Myth #3: You can teach any way you want and do anything you want while teaching online.

Fact: The skill level, learning pace, and learning style of the student need to come into consideration first. You can apply your own teaching style as long as it agrees with the applicable teaching method. Moreover, you may not be physically with the student, but your full attention must be given to him or her. The student must never feel neglected.

Myth #4: Online teaching is not as in-depth as a personal or face-to-face tutorial.

Fact: Online teaching does not make the lessons or your interaction with the student any less real or substantial. Provided that you use the appropriate tools and materials and the right teaching style, and display the right attitude, your online teaching can be just as in-depth and significantly productive as a face-to-face tutorial.

Myth #5: Online teaching becomes a drag eventually, because you end up doing the same thing over and over again.

Fact: Online teaching is far from being a drag because as the students evolve and improve their skill, your own style and skills do so as well. Moreover, teaching materials need to be regularly reviewed and revised to make them new and relevant. Lastly, there is also the deep satisfaction that you get whenever you see a student improve—that will never get old and boring.

Teaching online requires commitment, discipline, and effort, but it also promises personal development and immense satisfaction. You can see for yourself how fulfilling it can be to teach online by joining 51Talk as a home-based or office-based teacher. For more details, visit www.51talk.com/ph.

Countdown to extinction begins with Racing Extinction on Discovery Channel

To every action, there's an an effect. Science taught us that. It also goes with the choices we make. Humans is the only species that is the dominant predator that endangers others. It just proves that the rule "Survival to the fittest" is innate.

Tiger Skins courtesy of Stephen Jones.

But when the dominant species abuses his power, it does not only endangers the animal kingdom but all life as well. This award-winning feature Racing Extinction reveals the effects that will make the audience really affected by what the fellow human beings done. It will not only reveal by entertaining, it will make you think of what to do next.

What we do that speeds the extinction level will cripple the balance of nature. Sharks are only dangerous when they are able to sense blood but otherwise they will ignore us. Imagine all sharks are gone. Who will eat the jellyfishes? The jellyfish is a bigger threat than sharks.

Racing Extinction will air globally 9PM on December 2(Philippine time) on Discovery Channel. Hopefully it may not be too late. Follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook. Here are some suggestions what can you do to slow the extinction level.

Bus Ticket Artworks by Jasmine Cruz

It's not everyday that you see art from everyday things this is such a case for one particular art. My friend Jasmine Cruz from BusinessWorld invited me during the opening of an exhibit she shares with three artists iChill Cafe in Manila.

Jasmine Cruz(3rd from the left) with fellow exhibitors and the bus tickets art works in the background.

The theme of the exhibit is Encounters which suits the art that was showcased because the observer can see how he/she can relate. But what really caught my attention was Jasmine's works that is full of bus tickets.

Here in the Philippines, bus tickets comes from a small piece of paper with printed numbering and bus liner company logo and different amounts depending on the destination. Jasmine kept all her tickets when commuting to and from residence. From there, she did all four frames.

Not only she made four pieces of collected bus tickets, one piece consists of pink colored bus tickets and the other with only one bus liner with a crown logo. Jasmine told me it took her two years at least to gather these tickets.

I shared what I realized to Jasmine upon seeing the bus tickets that it may tell history one day especially since the bus fare is still visible. All four bus ticket art are already sold. I look forward for the next bus tickets art work.

Share Christmas joy; give a Noche Buena

Press release

Our fondest and earliest memories of Christmas -- aside from the usual ornaments like the Christmas tree, parol, and the anticipation of gifts from Santa, will always be the feast on the table that family members enjoy together on that special eve.

                                                                                           

Noche Buena always brings us back to good memories shared with family and loved ones. Truly, no Pinoy Christmas celebration is ever complete without it!

The picture of a beautiful Christmas is to have every family member gathered around the table for a hearty Christmas dinner. Sadly, though, many families are not privileged to enjoy this once-a-year treat.

World Vision invites you to share the joy of Christmas to our less fortunate brothers and sisters once again by giving them a gift of a Noche Buena pack. For only PHP PHP 1,000 you are already providing a bountiful Noche Buena meal for two families -- which consists of ingredients for a Spaghetti meal, fruit salad, and an assortment of Christmas goodies.

"For the past 10 years, the Noche Buena campaign has brought thousands of Filipino families together for Christmas with a hearty meal, while also enabling others to share their blessing by donating Noche Buena. For us, it is not simply a meal -- it is celebrating the truest sense of Christmas, which is sharing," shares World Vision Director Jun Godornes.

Part of the proceeds of the Noche Buena campaign will be used for the repair of a classroom in Isabella which was damaged by the recent typhoon Lando. For more information, call World Vision at 372-7777 or visit worldvision.org.ph

CCP Complex Light Up For The Holiday Season

Traffic during holiday season is really stressful because most are having their Christmas rush. The stretch along Roxas Boulevard is no exception. CCP once again continues to spread the holiday spirit through their annual display of San Fernando lanterns.

The Philippine Xmas lanterns are usually star-shaped with decorations that represents the Star Of Bethlehem. What makes the lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga unique is the craftsmanship and the light display.

What makes this year unique was the Christmas Tree located at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Vito Cruz on the South bound side near the park area. Not only that, only LED lights are used for this big tree so it is also environment-friendly.

Because Philippines has the longest Christmas celebration in the world, it is just fitting that carols were sung and played by the Phil.Madrigal Singers and the Phil. Philharmonic Orchestra. In promotion of CCP activities, they also showcased excerpts from Ballet Philippines' Peter Pan and Phil. Ballet Theater's The Nutcracker.

The San Fernando Lanterns and the big Christmas Tree lights up every night until January 6. For more CCP updates, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.