The League of Executive Assistants of the Philippines (LEAP), recently visited the first world-class Science museum in the Philippines. Fifty three participants from the group participated in the tour with many of us curious to discover what the museum had to offer.

The Mind Museum at [...]]]>

by Jinky Aguinaldo

The League of Executive Assistants of the Philippines (LEAP), recently visited the first world-class Science museum in the Philippines. Fifty three participants from the group participated in the tour with many of us curious to discover what the museum had to offer.

The Mind Museum at Taguig is envisioned to be the country’s center for the public understanding of science, enthralling guests with its beauty, clarity and the intriguing character.  It sits on a 12,500 square meter prime property at the “home of passionate minds” – Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

The exhibits are largely original and not off-the-shelf types found in other science museums.  Designs are by Filipino artists working with Filipino scientists and engineers to clearly and beautifully flesh out a Science principle or fact.  Ninety percent of the exhibits were done by carefully selected local fabricators who also do work for science museums abroad. 

When asked  what did they find most amusing in the museum?

For  LEAP Chair Frances Peria  “I like that the museum allows anyone — young or old — to enjoy the experience of learning through their interactive exhibits.  I spent close to half an hour solving the math puzzle, while a young boy looked on, obviously doubtful if I could do it!”

”Seeing and feeling what science is all about will challenge and elicit the mind of the youth to give more attention and interest on the subject.  Since the medieval time science is one of the foundation of our evolution and the progress of civilization and it goes on.  It is about time that the Filipinos especially the youth is aligned with the rest of the world in the development of science and I believe The Mind Museum can be a big factor to achieve this” says  Tess Floedl.

The Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. (BAFI) is the project proponent behind The Mind Museum.  In 2006, BAFI’s Board of Trustees – composed of individuals from Ayala Land, Inc., the Campos Group of Companies, Bases Conversion Development Corp., and a representative from the property owners of BGC – wanted Bonifacio Global City (BGC) to have the arts and the sciences make up the soul of BGC.  The district already had a public art program, thus the idea to bring in a Science museum was born. 

As a key civic institution that is lacking in the Philippines, a science museum is essential for our nation to help address the significant gap in its math and science education.  The Mind Museum will not be a substitute for schools, but rather a way to help breed scientific literacy that will help everyone be inspired to understand nature and support the sciences, whatever they do in life.  LEAP Director  Elvi Garcia said “ Since not everyone can learn from a book, experiencing learning is a way for kids to make connections about the things they hear about in school and the things they see  in  a museum, like what  Mind Museum did. They have preserve the history thus  making  history alive. “  “A good way to lose one’s head is in the Mind Museum . . . . you get to think of the unthinkable!” according to Carole Guiam.

The Mind Museum has over 250 interactive exhibits. These are divided into five main galleries- the atom, Earth, life, universe, and technology. The Atom Gallery has exhibit pieces that show the strange world of the very small in terms of forces and particles while The Earth Gallery tells of the story of the planet and our archipelago across the breadth of time. It includes a 3D animated film made by an all-Filipino crew that features 4.6 billion years of the planet’s natural history and evolution in 12 minutes. On the other hand, The Life Gallery is a dive into deeper understanding of how life surrounds and inhabits us – from microbes to large animals (such as a life size ‘butanding’), and from DNA, cells to a giant human brain model. The Universe Gallery features the mysterious vastness of the universe and holds clues to where we came from and where we are going.  The gallery also contains a unique planetarium which simulates star-gazing from the point of view of literally laying down on a bed beneath the stars. Meanwhile The Technology Gallery which is located above all four galleries, shows how we, with the tools we invent and innovate, are able to express our evolving humanity.  It is the story of how we humans have explored ways of being alive!

LEAP’s Journey of Science @ The Mind Museum originally appeared on League of Executive Assistants of the Philippines, Inc. on March 31, 2012.

In time for our reflection for the coming Lenten Season, this month’s General Assembly opened with the Fr. Armand Robleza’s inspirational message which he aptly entitled “Seriously Speaking – Jesus The Christ”.    Indeed, listening to Fr. Armand speak gives you the feeling of hearing the words [...]]]>

by Rose Escueta

In time for our reflection for the coming Lenten Season, this month’s General Assembly opened with the Fr. Armand Robleza’s inspirational message which he aptly entitled “Seriously Speaking – Jesus The Christ”.    Indeed, listening to Fr. Armand speak gives you the feeling of hearing the words of Jesus Himself as He shared God’s wisdom.  He taught us the 3 main dimensions of the “Self” and left us with 6 big lessons and questions we needed to contemplate on:

The Acquisitive Self – comprises of feelings, thought patterns, reactions and the numb self

1)       Say “enough” – When do we say “enough”?   Decide what happiness and success mean to you otherwise  you’ll drown yourself in clutter.  We don’t have to be successful to be happy.

2)      Share your blessings – Which treasures are you willing to give away?  To love someone, you have to let go of something.  What will you give up for love?  Take the inner journey to your heart.  God is so passionate!  He gave you what you need! 

The Wounded Self – characterized by poor self image, fear, conditional love, unsettled questions, anger, & helplessness

3)      Forgive, Forgive, Forgive – Which unforgivables will you lift to God?

4)       Tame your pains  – Which hurts will you turn around?  Bad things happen to everyone!  In the mind of God, everything has a reason.  There is nothing you cannot forgive.   In the midst of all the hurts and pains, we should always put in our minds – “I am not a miser nor am I at the losing end.”

Imprisoned Splendor – affirmation of one’s self; connected to others; one’s significant in creation; “fear of the Lord”

5)      Believe in enthusiasm – Which pathetic behaviours will you change?  What kind of life will you have if God does not care?  If fear, apathy, and greed rule your heart?  I will never, never doubt that God loves me!    He gave us the courage to live, the enthusiasm to succeed, the compassion to care.  With this, we should thank the Lord for loving us without conditions and reservations.

6)      Extend compassion – Which unlovables will you care for?  God created solitude but not loneliness.  Commit yourself to uplift people from their pains and sufferings.  Claim it as your chief concern to make other people happy.  Be the first one to do unto others what you want them to do unto you – especially those who cannot repay you.  Do this with a smile.  J

In the coming Lenten season, let’s heave a break and take the inner journey into our hearts.  Only then we’ll be able to realize that we have a loving God who sacrificed His only son, Jesus Christ,  on the cross so we may live!

LEAP March GA originally appeared on League of Executive Assistants of the Philippines, Inc. on March 28, 2012.

LEAP though its Ways & Means Group just successfully had  its Invitational Golf Classic held on February 17 at Ayala Greenfield Golf & Leisure Club. This is our second tournament   since 2010.

This tournament was participated by various valued  sponsors and  partners who [...]]]>

by Jinky Aguinaldo

LEAP though its Ways & Means Group just successfully had  its Invitational Golf Classic held on February 17 at Ayala Greenfield Golf & Leisure Club. This is our second tournament   since 2010.

This tournament was participated by various valued  sponsors and  partners who believed in LEAP’s sustainability initiatives focused on education by supporting 37 elementary students at Hapay na Mangga Elementary School in Bo. Dolores, Taytay, Rizal &  HERO Foundation scholars taking up BS Business Administration at Southern Baptist College at M’lang North Cotabato & another one taking up BS Office Administration at Christ the King College at Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental. LEAP has pledged to adopt these 2 scholars of HERO Foundation. HERO stands for Help Rear and Educate Orphans. The foundation was organized in 1988 by the late President Corazon C. Aquino who mobilized the business sector and opened their hearts to the plight of the Filipino fallen  soldiers and their families.

The event kicked off with the ceremonial  tee-off  by Mr. Manny Rubio – CEO of SN Aboitiz Power Group;  Mr. Mario Monsalve -AVP, Makati Development Corporation;  Mr Tony Que, President of Voltage Electrical Contractor;  Diana Urmeneta of Sta Fe Relocation Services  and Jinky Aguinaldo representing Ayala Land and LEAP’s Ways & Means Chair.  Everyone was ready to hit the greens. It was great seeing both old and new faces from  the first tournament we had in 2010.

The weather was perfect as the round commenced. After 4 hours of playing everyone gathered at the Rizal Hall for a sumptuous lunch while  waited excitedly for the awarding of winners and equally exciting raffle prizes.

FORE! It was indeed a successful golf tournament  and  was a truly memorable day remembered for several things. It was a gathering of golfers, sponsors, partners , scholars /beneficiaries, Ways & Means Group & LEAP who undoubtedly came out top spots and everyone deserves a pat on the back  for the  excellent drives , strokes and putts . It was also a celebration of camaraderie amidst a worthy cause. The weather was fine. The golf course was beautiful. And most of all, it’s  beyond beginnings, a LEAP to greater heights!

LEAP’s 2nd Invitational Golf Classic: A Ways & Means project taking LEAP to greater heights originally appeared on League of Executive Assistants of the Philippines, Inc. on March 16, 2012.

LEAP’s 2nd General Assembly meeting was held last Tuesday, 23 February 2012 at the Ayala Land Inc.’s Conference Room and was attended by more than 25 members of LEAP.

The program was opened by an Invocation lead by Aileen Dungan.  The members were welcomed by the [...]]]>

by Tintin Cobreros

LEAP’s 2^nd General Assembly meeting was held last Tuesday, 23 February 2012 at the Ayala Land Inc.’s Conference Room and was attended by more than 25 members of LEAP.

The program was opened by an Invocation lead by Aileen Dungan.  The members were welcomed by the Opening Message by Chairman Frances Peria, where she especially acknowledged Jinky Aguinaldo’s very successful Golf Tournament held last February 17, 2012.

As part of the program, Liz Fernandez introduced our first time orientee Met Sasack from the Rustan’s Group of Companies. Liz also acknowledged the presence of our 2^nd time orientees Kathy Tan from Fort Bonifacio Development Corp., Aileen Martinez, Jean De Guzman and Fritz Evangelista from Sandoz Philippines. We also inducted our new member Lorraine Dela Cruz from Kraft Philippines. Welcome to LEAP Lorraine!

While waiting for our honourable guest speaker, we started with the Housekeeping announcements from the Learning and Development team headed by Ching Bognot. Ching updated us on learning platforms of their committee for 2012, she also updated us on the upcoming LEAP seminar which will take place on March 30 at Edsa Shangri-La Manila wherein 60 participants are anticipated to attend. After the L&D announcement, I being the head of the Organized Sustainability committee with the help of Erlynne Figueroa updated the group of the needed tuition fee for the scholars from Hapay Na Mangga Elementary School. To make the night more exciting, Rose Escueta presented her 2012 programs for the Organized Group Activities – oh we are not busy!

We are not done yet… Liz Fernandez informed the group that during the seminar, the Recruitment committee will put an information booth for those participants who are interested to become a member of LEAP.

Finally, our guest speaker arrived, Mr. Rafael M. Pefianco or Raffy for short. He is the CEO of RMP Consultancy. RMP Consultancy is an international provider of training and consulting services in Management, Sales and Marketing, Hospitality and Manufacturing Technologies. Mr. Pefianco talked about The Six Thinking Hats and gave emphasis on the Red Hat. It was indeed a very informative talk and each one of us learned how to use the Six Thinking Hats to make our decision, may it be a professional or a personal one.

After the learning, we continued with the housekeeping items from the Ways and means committee headed by Jinky Aguinaldo.  The group was really amazed by the outcome of the Golf Tournament last February 17; Jinky reported an income of P612 thousand plus.  Thank you to all our sponsors who helped us made this tournament possible and congratulations to Jinky and her team The proceeds of this tournament will greatly help our scholars from HERO Foundation and Hapay Na Mangga Elementary School. Jinky also reminded everyone of the next Ways and Means activity which was the Mind Museum Tour on March 3. LEAP is very privileged to be one of the first to see this “first world class Science Museum” in the Philippines. Mind Museum is located in Bonifacio Global City and will soon be open to the public.

Jinky also announced the forthcoming Midyear Review in Baguio City scheduled for May 25-27, 2012. All members are invited to join.

Finally, it is time to celebrate the natal day of our February birthday celebrants namely Vie Victa and myself Thank you to everyone for the Happy Birthday song.

The program was ended by our Vice Chairman, Tess Francisco-Floedl.  Being our emcee for the night – she reminded everyone to submit their registration for the March 30 seminar and according to her, LEAP is moving in an upbeat and positive manner! I second the motion

LEAP February GMM originally appeared on League of Executive Assistants of the Philippines, Inc. on February 28, 2012.