UN School Celebration: Around the World with Aladdin

Its United Nations month - this means another busy two weeks for my kids (and their whole school). Everyone is preoccupied with practicing their dance performances, getting their costumes ready, decorating their assigned booths, finalizing their video presentations, and a lot more. Seems like another exciting school program!

This holistic learning experience is what my kids are experiencing... which I am glad they do.

[Look back]
Last 2014, was United Nations' founding anniversary. Their school celebrated it in a spectacular way. A UN celebration where dance performances were woven into a stage play of the Disney film, Aladdin.

Aladdin and Jasmine on the magic carpet singing "A Whole New World"

Let these photos bring you on a journey around the world. Enjoy!

my son and niece as Spanish dancers

do the Macarena and Asereje dance 

my daughter and her BFF in their Indian-inspired look

Indian - Jaiho dancers in action

seriously cute African dancers

pretty Japanese fan dancer

Japanese dancers

going modern in their K-pop dance number

Chinese dragon dance

USA country western dance number

presenting - Mexico!

lively Jamaican inspired dance 

beautiful parade of costumes by the preschoolers 

Buwan ng Wika 2014 activities, costumes and dances

The last week of August is also a celebration of Linggo ng Wika (National Language Month) in my kid's school. It's a week-long event filled with activities such as "Palarong Pinoy," "Kainang Bayan," "Pagbigkas ng Tula, Pagbasa at Sabayang Bigkas," and a lot more. The week culminated with the "Katutubong Sayaw" presentation featuring cultural and folk dances in the Philippines.

My daughter representing the Grade 5 class para sa "Masining na Pagbasa ng Tula".



My son joining the Grade 3 students for their "Awiting Filipino" number, performing the song "Pusong Bato."



The theme for this year's Buwan ng Wika is - Wikang Pambansa: Susi sa Tagumpay, Pagkakailanlan at Pagkakaisa. It's about unity depicted by the spirit of "bayanihan."

The best day is the presentation of different regional dances from our country wearing their Filipino costumes.

My daughter joining the Grade 5 class in their Subli dance performance.






My son joining the Grade 3 class in performing a dance from Capiz city.



There's my niece in the same dance performance.




My godson joining the Grade 1 class, looking cute in their costumes while performing an Igorot dance.




There's my sister with the Grade 8 class in their Maglalatik dance.




Here are the other dances from different Grade levels.

The Grade 2 students in their Karatong Subli dance.



Grade 4 students presenting a dance from the Ilocos region.



Grade 6 students in their Muslim dance.




Grade 7 students presenting a rice harvest dance.



Grade 8 students in their regional dance (just forgot where the dance is from)




Grade 10 students presenting their Pandanggo sa Ilaw dance.



The celebration ended with students singing the song "Isang Lahi, Isang Dugo, Isang Musika"




The Philippines has rich culture and history. This school event makes the students proud of the Filipino language and appreciate our country's culture.

As what the theme said, "Filipino as the language of national unity."

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My 2011 post on Linggo ng Wika Costumes and Activities is one of my most popular blog post since parents are looking for Filipino costumes that their children can wear. Thanks for those who visited. Hope you got something from checking out my post. :)

Anyway, by October, it would be the United Nations Celebration. Let's look forward to another eventful school activity!

7 Years Milestones

Being 7 years old had been great for my daughter. It's her best and happiest year so far. It's the year when she had the grandest time of her life.

Lots of wonderful memories and achievements happened when she turned seven. I could list a hundred things that makes being 7 a great year, but let me share her best 7 moments -

Celebrated her ballerina themed 7th birthday with family and friends.

happy 7th birthday Skylah!

Joined the school's Buwan ng Wika activities where she performed a traditional Filipino dance with her classmates and declaimed the piece "Sa Aking Mga Kababata."

first declamation piece

Performed two ballet dances for Effie Nanas' Grand Ballet Recital - Enchanted Ballet at the CCP.

ballet recital on stage

Dressed up as Barbie doll for Halloween where she felt like being a Barbie celebrity for a day and won several prizes.

my Barbie doll :)

Played the role of Tinkerbell in the school's Christmas celebration - Disney's Believe in Holiday Magic. Remember Kid's Performances HERE.

my Tinkerbell

Received her First Holy Communion. Participated in the church rites - Greetings, Ama Namin prayer, Glory to God and Tell the World of His Love.

greetings

Ranked first in class and overall top 2 in Grade 2. Received the Second Honors Award and Best in Co-curricular Award.

congrats Skylah!

Last week, she turned 8 years old. Hoping for another fruitful year for my daughter!

Remember 2011 | Kids Performances

"To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives." - Denis Waitley, American motivational speaker and writer, consultant and best-selling author

My kids' performances is one way that helps develop their confidence. They are enjoying every program rehearsals, getting in their costumes and being there on stage. It helps become aware of their own abilities and self-importance.

Grand Ballet Recital at CCP

Dancing at the CCP stage is a dream come true for my daughter. Effie Nanas ballet presented Enchanted Ballet last November. She danced Chinese Tea for the Nutcraker - Clara's Dream and "Butterfly" for Snow White.

Taking photos and videos inside the CCP theater is not allowed, so we only have pre and post photos of her.

butterfly costume

Chinese costume

Everyone - from the star ballerinas to the little belles - did wonderful performances.

Effie Nanas ballerinas

Tinkerbell Butterfly at SGIS Disney Holiday Magic

My daughter was chosen by the school principal to be Tinkerbell Butterfly (a part in Alice's Adventure) in their Christmas program. Good thing, she was able to wear the butterfly costume again.

Tinkerbell butterfly :)

with Alice in Wonderland cast

She also danced "Let it Snow" together with the grade 3 girls. Girls from her grade level performed a different dance number. Watch the video:





Little Santa Claus at SGIS Disney Holiday Magic

My son, together with the preschoolers, happily sing and dance Jingle Bells for the Christmas program. The venue was filled with much cuteness and happiness!

little Santas :)

Enjoy watching:

Disney's Believe in Holiday Magic

Malaysia in United Nations Celebration

My son represented the country of Malaysia and performed "It's a Small World" together with the preschool students.

Malaysia flag bearer :)

Japanese in United Nations Celebration

My daughter, together with the Grade 2 students, performed a Japanese dance.

Japan umbrella dance

Read The Silk Road to Peace and Prosperity


Linggo ng Wika Performances

It had been my daughter's first declamation contest. She didn't win,but still proud since she was able to deliver Dr. Jose Rizal's "Sa Aking Mga Kababata" in front of the audience.

"Sa Aking Mga Kababata"

Read Daughter's First Declamation Piece

Traditional Filipino dances were all performed.

Filipino dance

in costume

Read Linggo ng Wika Activities

Indeed, "the world is a stage..."

Hope you all enjoyed the Year 2011 as much as we do!

Barbie Doll Becomes Celebrity For a Day (or Two)

Skylah as Barbie doll

My daughter is Barbie Doll during the Halloween!

She enjoyed being a Barbie doll since Barbie dolls are among her favorite toys. She won't mind receiving Barbie dolls as gifts and she still plans to buy and keeps on wishing to have more. I lost count how many Barbie dolls she already have (maybe more than 20).

October had been a busy month for my kids. There's weekend ballet practice and recital dress rehearsals, quarterly school exams and United Nations programs practice, plus family trips and activities! That left us with no time to think about and prepare for their Halloween costume. We didn't even have plans to join mall Trick or Treats!

Five days before their school Halloween party, we started to think what they'll going to wear, and borrowed a horse's back (from my husband's cousin) so my son Brent can be Centaur! (I'll be posting about his costume too)

An idea came to mind! Since my daughter Skylah would just wear her ballet tutu, I thought of dressing her up as Barbie Doll!

We made a pink Barbie box, cut some holes, fastened garters at the back so she can carry the box at her back, printed the Barbie words and Mattel logo, and of course, her picture!

Barbie box

School Halloween Party

From the moment our Barbie Doll stepped out of the car and walk on school grounds, we've already heard several students saying, "that's cute," "wow it's Barbie!"... which continued until she reached her classroom. Her teachers and classmates loved her Barbie costume too!

Our Barbie Doll was well applauded when she get on stage. She even won as The Most Funniest Costume (for Grades 1-3 division)!

Funniest Costume Finalists (Grades 1-3)

Several students also took pictures with her!

When she came back, she told me, "mommy ang daming nagpicture sa 'kin!" That's how happy she was!

RFR Halloween Party and Trick or Treat

It was a Saturday and after ballet practice, we joined RFR's Halloween Party and Trick or Treat again since the kids really enjoyed going door-to-doors to ask for treats!

Again, my daughter was dressed-up as Barbie Doll!

I can't believe that village residences also took pictures of her. They were really delighted to see a walking Barbie doll!

Pictures while on parade.

More pictures inside the clubhouse.

Our Barbie Doll happily smiled for them.

Best thing is, she won Best in Costume for girls category!

Best in Costume Finalists (Girls)

my prize :)

Mums and Tubs Club Halloween Cutie Contest

Recently, her picture also won at Mums and Tubs Club contest in Facebook. Good enough that it's not a liking contest.

If only I had anticipated that our Barbie Doll in her DIY Barbie doll would be well received, we would have joined in Trick or Treat and Halloween parties in the malls and hotels. Well, but that would be too tiresome and it might ruin the purpose of enjoying the event.

I'm glad that my daughter had been at her happiest!