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Tight Times

Author: Salve  //  Category: Book Recommendation, Children's Literature, Values Formation

In this period of economic instability, we must all learn to be frugal. As adults, we can devise ways to economize, make the most of what we have and spend our hard-earned money on necessary and very important things only. But how about children? How can we make them understand a complicated situation like the economy? If you’re a parent, how would you teach your kids the value of being thrifty?

I came across a book for children during Adarna House’s Lecture Series in July, entitled “Tight Times.” This book, in my opinion is an effective tool to let children know our economic situation and make them value money. It is a 30-page illustrated storybook told in first person (from the point of view of one of the children in the family). The story opens with the phrase “Mamang says these are tight times, so we’ve got to be tough (Sabi ni Mamang, ito’y panahon ng taggipit kaya’t kailangan nating maging matatag). From this line, you know already it is touching a serious subject that is also complicated for a child. But the tale is very well-written: simple, direct, sensitive and hopeful. Aside from being thrifty, “Tight Times” also teaches its readers how to save and economize, appreciate the things you have, and be thankful for every little blessing you receive. It also explains why certain activities you do regularly before you only do once in a while now.

Let me share a part of this tale that really made me smile:

I eat my eggs slowly now, and drink my chocolate even more slowly. It is strange how my chocolate and eggs taste yummier these days!

And it’s more heartwarming when translated in the native language:

Kinakain ko ang mga itlog ngayon nang dahan-dahan, at iniinom ang tsokolate nang mas mabagal. Nakapagtataka kung paanong ang mga itlog at tsokolate ay mas malinamnam nitong mga nakaraang araw!

The illustrations in the book are very helpful, very Pinoy and, for me, symbolic. They’re not people but animals. And the main characters (the family) are mice. That is why I thought it they’re symbolic, because when someone’s financially inadequate we would say, “Mas mahirap pa `yan sa daga.” (He’s more miserable than a mouse).

Illustration’s an important part of children’s stories. It helps the reader picture every situation presented in the story, it gives a face to every character, creates and adds mood, and sometimes illustrations even tell another/new story or introduces another character. You just have to be observant.

Among my favorite illustrations in the book are these:

Notice that not everything in the illustrations are in color. In the first photo, only the straws and the box of a choco drink have color. Maybe because the box is a source of joy and the straws connect each member of the family. Since they’re economizing, they finally discovered the joy of sharing. :) In the second illustration, the colored view seen from the window symbolizes hope; that they’re will be better days. :)

“Tight Times” is written by Jeanette C. Patindol (author of Papa’s House, Mama’s House) and illustrated by Sergio T. Bumatay III. It is a PBBY Salanga Prize (story) and PBBY Alcala Prize (illustration) Grand Winner for 2007.

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I always believe that books and literature are among the most effective tools for values formation. This is a highly recommended book for parents. Have fun reading!

Civilizing Myself

Author: Salve  //  Category: Culture, Places, around the metro, art

Let’s face it. In our country, visiting museums is not part of our culture. We don’t bother to go, unless you’re a student and your teacher or professor required you to visit a certain museum in a certain place.

I may be wrong, but most people think that museums are meant solely for the well-off members of the society, an activity only the rich people can afford and enjoy. That is a HUGE misconception. If you can afford buying tokens for a videoke machine (don’t shoot me, I have nothing against karaoke singing. I’m Pinoy, so I like it, too), you definitely can afford museum entrance fees. Some of them do not even charge a dime!

You see, museums are there for you — for you to learn more about your community, your country, a religion, a new technology, history, etc. Spending time in a museum somehow changes, in a positive way, your view yourself as part the society. Sometimes you can find the missing aspects of your life. It can be fun, only when you start appreciating what you see there. You can even say, museums rock!

It had been a little while since I’ve been to one. This year I plan to visit as many as I can (that’s the GRAND plan!). And since I’m based in Metro Manila, I’ll start here. I’ve made a list of the museums here and grouped them by locality. There are a lot! You might want to visit them also. Or join me!

Here goes my list with a few basic details:

City of Manila
Museo Pambata (Ermita)
Museum Hours:
Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Tuesday-Saturday 8:00 am-5:00 pm (Aug - March), 9:00 am-5:00 pm (April-July)
Admission: Php 100 (children & adults), Free/discounted for Manila residents (bring ID); Free for museum workers and teachers (bring ID); Free for street children, infants

Read more…

Go Dark!

Author: Salve  //  Category: food, health

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Me, I so love, love chocolate! I prefer dark over milk, white and other chocolate varieties. The darker and bitter a chocolate is, the more I love munching it.

A regular intake of dark chocolate is healthy and it has been proven in many studies. When eating chocolate remember that its main ingredient, cocoa, is made from plants, therefore it contains health properties found in many vegetables. Opposed to other varieties, dark chocolate has flavonoid, an antioxidant chemical that protects the body from harmful elements that cause early aging and heart diseases. In addition, flavonoids also balance certain hormones in the body.

Generally, dark chocolate is good for the heart. The right amount of intake (a small bar or around 1.6 ounces) everyday can keep the heart and cardio system functioning properly. Heart health benefits include lowering blood pressure and lowering cholesterol level in the body. A small bar of dark chocolate everyday has been proven to lower the blood pressure in people with hypertension. It can also reduce bad cholesterol (LDL or low density lipoprotein) in the body by almost 10 percent. Sweet news, right?

Apart from taking care of the heart, dark chocolate has other advantages. One, it gives one a feeling of happiness because it stimulates the production of endorphin. Two, it lifts ones spirits since it has serotonin, a neurotransmitter that act as anti-depressant. Lastly, chocolate tastes good, who can resist it?

Despite these health benefits chocolate must be taken in moderation. Remember that it still is a high-calorie and high-fat (contains one monosaturated and two saturated) food. As mentioned earlier in this post, only a small bar of dark chocolate is recommended for daily consumption. But if you really, really can’t help it, then you have to cut in your other food intake.

So, happy choco munching, people! Don’t take too many, okay? Go for the dark ones.

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A little side story why I came down to writing a post on dark chocolate:


I’ve had a not so nice week and I’m pissed off with someone at work (still am until now). I know I just have to have a bite of chocolate to calm my nerves. So I went to the grocery store during the weekend and found this new confection from a local producer of chocolate products. I decided to give it a try. I was not in a bit disappointed. Although it didn’t taste as bitter as I would prefer it to be, still it tasted good: smooth, mint, bittersweet, dark!

Try it. Doesn’t even cost much. :D

No to Smoking

Author: Salve  //  Category: Event, cigarette smoking, food, health, petition, warning

Last night two of my colleagues and I covered an event in Katipunan called “One Smoke-Free Night,” a benefit concert for project Brave Kids. It was also an avenue to raise public awareness on the health hazards of cigarette smoking. One of the event’s organizer was FCAP or Framework Convention on tobacco control Alliance Philippines. Currently, the organization is pursuing the passing of House Bill (HB) 3364 or the Picture-Based Health Warning Bill, which, when approved, graphic photos of the effects of smoking to ones health will replace the usual text warning in cigarette packs. The picture-based warning will be placed on the back panel of the cigarette package, the picture will occupy at least fifty percent of the back panel and the text warning must be in Filipino. In addition, no misleading descriptions should be placed in cigarette packs like “light or low tar,” because no matter how “light” or “low” the tar content is, it will still have the same effect in a person’s health.

a sample of how the picture-based warning will look like in cigarette packs

Picture-based health warning is already being implemented in countries like Singapore, Thailand, Venezuela, Uruguay, UK, Australia, Switzerland, Panama, Hong Kong, Romania, New Zealand, and India. FCAP believes it is high time the same rule should be applied in the Philippines. Right now, the average Filipino does not really have a clear image of the dangers of smoking or being exposed to cigarette smoke. The picture-based warning will achieve that, thus, reducing the number of smokers if not totally eradicating the habit.

FCAP is trying to collect signatures to support HB 3364 and has an online petition in their website. If you believe in this cause, get involved and sign the petition here or here. Also, FCAP has another event coming, “Run 4 Ur Life,” again to promote the Picture-based Health Warning. It will be held at UP Diliman Campus on August 17. Additional information can be viewed here.


National Children’s Book Day

Author: Salve  //  Category: Event, National Book Store, kids

National Book Store is celebrating National Children’s Book Day with fun activities at Robinsons Galleria from July 25 until July 27. It’s a perfect opportunity for parents to start engaging their kids in books and to help them see that reading is also fun!


Here’s the press release from NBS and the schedule of activities:

Let your kid’s imagination take flight in Bestsellers’ National Children’s Book Day celebration on July 25-27 at Robinsons Galleria. With the theme: The Future in Literature, the 3-day affair is jam-packed with fun and educational activities for young readers.

Be charmed and inspired by storytellers (July 25), puppeteers (July 26), and cooking experts (July 27) only at Bestsellers. Other exciting activities include ballet performance, coloring, drawing and scrapbooking in the Robinsons Galleria Activity Center and Jumpstreet.

Admission is absolutely FREE! Loot bags will also be given away for every purchase with any of the participating brands. Don’t miss this great opportunity to introduce your children to the wonderful world of literature. Log on to http://www.nbsstores.com for the full schedule or visit Bestsellers (Level 4, Main Mall Robinson Galleria, EDSA cor. Ortigas Ave., Quezon City) for more information. See you there!

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Love books, love knowledge!

Support Children’s Book Day


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