by rossanahead | May 24, 2011 | career, children, Education, Karen Galarpe, parenting
By Karen Galarpe
It never fails to amuse people when they hear my reply when they ask me what course I took in college. Sometimes I make them guess. At other times, I blurt the truth out to save time.
“Commerce. Accounting,” I would say. And always there would be a split second of shock, before I hear laughter.
“Then what are you doing in journalism?”
And so I would tell them how I really wanted to be a writer since grade school, nurtured the dream in high school and even joined the school paper, before ending up at the College of Commerce.
My dad wanted me to be a lawyer since he wanted to be one too. He wasn’t able to finish his law course though since he got married early and started a family. Since my three elder siblings didn’t fancy law, he put his hopes on me, the youngest, to fulfill his dream.
The accounting course was in preparation for a career as a CPA-lawyer. I did the whole course and even passed the board exam. After 2 years as an auditor, however, I felt I would grow old by 10 years in a year’s time. I would really rather write stories that could help other people than trace transactions and prepare financial statements.
I share this because in a few months, many senior high school students would be applying for college, and I am sure, a lot of them aren’t sure of what course they want to take.
Parents, I believe, should not relive their dreams through their kids. Instead they should help them find their passion and encourage them to go that way.
When one has passion in what he does, he’ll no doubt excel in his field and will have a zest for life every day. That’s in stark contrast to the man just trudging along, slaving away at a job he doesn’t like, waiting for the clock to signal the end of a working day.
Your child will show signs of his interests and passion which are gifts from God. Be keen in observing them. These may be different from your own gifts and passion, but that just goes to show you your child is his own person. Then be your child’s cheerleader and egg him on to enrol in a college course that could prepare him to pursue his dreams.
My dad couldn’t do anything when I told him I resigned from my auditor job many, many years ago and was enrolling in graduate school for a master’s degree in journalism. He realized this is my passion, and has given me the leeway to pursue my dreams.
And that’s why I’ve been writing and why you’re reading this.
by rossanahead | May 21, 2011 | career, Education, Rossana Llenado
By Rossana Llenado
I always get nervous when asked to speak in front of a group of people. I know that I’ve done it many times before but I still get nervous.
Last week, I met with a group of bloggers, and though I was initially scared, it took me no time to get comfortable. It helped that a lot of them were also parents. It also helped that I got to talk about something that I am so excited about right now, which is our attempt to break into the international market with Ahead Interactive.
Think you’re the only parent who has gone crazy helping his child with his homework? Well, you are not alone! Parents the world over have been confounded by math equations and past participles—and that is, after having worked at the office the whole day.
Through our smart and capable Filipino teachers, we’d like to be of service to tired, stressed-out parents. Through Ahead Interactive, we can provide real-time tutoring services to children across the globe. Mom and Dad can have some rest while their child finishes his homework. Afterwards, they can all spend some quality time together—maybe by taking a walk around the park or watching a movie. Initially, we’re looking at providing our services to families in California.
This is what makes my work very exciting. There’s always something new and fresh going on.
by rossanahead | May 19, 2011 | children, Claire Agbayani, Education, parenting
By Susan Claire Agbayani
A few days ago, my unico hijo (U.H.) told me that he was done with college, and consequently, is going to march on June 2011 with a baccalaureate degree in Chemistry.
About a decade ago, I transitioned from being an employee to being a graduate student scholar. Back then, my U.H. had to wait for me on the benches in the waiting area because–for security reasons–children were not allowed entry into the campus. Who would have imagined that a decade later, my son would do what I had failed to do back then? Finish a degree, that’s what!
If there is one thing that I had always wanted, it is for my son to finish college. I knew that with his diploma, he would be equipped to face the real world, seek and land a job, and join the work force.
Although I wasn’t able to give my son a lavish lifestyle (case in point: he was always shivering in the classroom even if he wore a jacket while his classmates sometimes even found the weather a bit “hot”), I know that the best gift I could ever give him is an excellent education.
It is our desire that he glorify the Lord in whatever path he chooses to trod. I look forward to how he could positively contribute to society in his own little way, one step at a time.
by rossanahead | May 17, 2011 | children, Education, Karen Galarpe, parenting, woman
By Karen Galarpe
I was one of those who, growing up, almost always had some class to attend during summer vacation. There were many summers spent learning piano and the organ, and one time, when karaoke became ‘in’ in the 80s, I also enrolled in voice lessons in UP.
I remember a summer when my friend and I took tennis lessons, another summer I had driving lessons, and one brave summer day when I attended one jazz dance class. I never came back, convinced I am better off reading or writing about dance.
There was a time too that I took a speedreading and speech workshop, then ahem, a personality development course the next. Many years later, a lesson from that personality development course became handy as I taught my officemates how to eat a banana using a fork. My officemates thought I was crazy.
So when my son came along, he also got enrolled in summer activities throughout the years. At 3, he had his first summer course, a sort of preparation to nursery class (he finished toddler class earlier). After that, there were summers when he was enrolled in swimming, taekwondo, basketball, football, reading, and math.
As in my case, there were classes he refused to enroll in again the next summer. But looking back, those summer classes were worth it as they brought new experiences, new friends, new lessons learned.
The last class I attended for summer was two years ago, I think, a workshop on writing biographies.
Maybe I should finally take that cooking class. Or Pilates. Or chocolate making. Mmmm… the options are getting better.
![Why I Work]()
by rossanahead | May 14, 2011 | career, children, Education, family, parenting, Rossana Llenado, woman
By Rossana Llenado
rossana llenado
Women work for all sorts of reasons. For some, it is to pursue a lifelong passion. For others, it is to have that sense of self-fulfillment inherent in a job well done.
One of the reasons that I started Ahead Tutorial and Review Center 16 years ago was because I wanted to be able to manage my own time. I was a mother of twins, and leaving them in the hands of strangers was not acceptable. Going into the tutorial business seemed like a very good idea. Not only could I pursue my passion for teaching and molding young minds, I also get to keep an eye on my children.
Today, I have four children of my own, but thousands more that I could very well call my own. Yes, one of the great joys of being in the business of education is that you get the chance to meet all these wonderful children and see them grow up into young adults with purpose. You could see it in their eyes—that burning desire to learn and improve.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing a student shine—and I’m fortunate enough to have witnessed this many times over. A child would come to us, defeated because of failing grades, and then several months later, he has grown confident in his skills—and has improved his grades immensely.
And so, whenever faced with the everyday problems of raising four children and managing a company, I just picture that child who could now walk with his head held high.
