It’s back to school for former beauty queen Charlene Gonzales when starting next week, she starts attending Business Management Entrepreneurship classes at the Harvard Business School, yes, in the US.

Charlene left Friday (April 3) after she and husband, Aga Muhlach, together with son, Andres, attended the piano recital of their other twin, Atasha.

She will be back before May 1, her birthday and in time, too, for her to bring Atasha for her first day of school at the Brent International School where the girl is now enrolled.

Andres studies at the International School.

“I will be following a rigid schedule,” said Charlene. “Classes start promptly at seven in the morning. Ten thirty in the evening na ang uwi ko. And this is everyday, ha.

“ the dorm where I will be staying is only nearby. Sa loob mismo ng campus.”

“It wasn’t easy either to apply for this short course in Business Management-Entrepreneurship, at Harvard Business School,” stated Charlene further. “My requirements have to be accomplished.”
“It is good that I took up a one-on-one Mentorship Program in Business Management and Entrepreneurship sa AIM (Asian Institute of Management).

“Nakatulong din ng malaki, siyempre pa, na nakatapos ako ng college,” Charlene stated further.
Charlene is a holder of a BS Psychology degree from UST.

Charlene completed both her elementary and high school studies at the Bishop Amat in California.
Charlene added: “I thank Aga for his continuous encouragement na mag-aral pa rin ako. Like me, Aga believes learning more is a virtue. His day is never complete without reading a newspaper, magazine and, especially, a book.”

But the best part, according to Charlene, is how the twins, particularly, Atasha, reacted to her having to leave them (to their Daddy) for nearly three weeks.
“Wow, Mama, sabi ba naman ni Atasha, will you please ask them if Andres and I can study there, too,” Charlene beamed.

Knowledge Channel returns to Zamboanga Sibugay

From the pigeonhole:

The Knowledge Channel is back in Zamboanga Sibugay! This time connecting six more schools through a grant from Sen. Loren Legarda and the support of Gov. George Hofer and Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer.

At the recent turnover ceremony at Ipil Heights Elementary School, Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) President and Executive Director Rina Lopez Bautista said that KCFI is not launching its partnership with Sen. Legarda or Zamboanga Sibugay, but rather, renewing old ties. The senator had previously sponsored a school in General Santos in 2003. And in 2005, KCFI first brought the Knowledge Channel to Zamboanga Sibugay through the intervention of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under a project called TEAM Mindanao (Television Education for the Advancement of Muslim Mindanao), which connected 18 public schools in the province.

The Knowledge Channel has had a positive impact on the connected schools in Zamboanga Sibugay, helping to increase scores of students in schools with high utilization levels, and of this, Lopez Bautista said, “It also humbles us to realize that it is not only the children that we have affected, but also the communities where these schools are as well.”

Sen. Loren Legarda addressed the school, saying that the quality of education in Sibugay has improved as a result of having the Knowledge Channel and adding, “’Yan ay nagpapatunay lamang na talagang ating weapon laban sa kahirapan at laban sa kamangmangan ang kaalaman ukol sa Siyensiya, Matematika, at pati na rin Ingles.” (That proves that our weapon against poverty and ignorance is knowledge in Science, Math, and English). She went on to tell the students how lucky they are to have access to the Knowledge Channel, saying, “Kayo ay mapalad na kayo ay makakapanood ng magagandang mga programa na ‘di lang nagbibigay ng kaligayahan at entertainment, kundi na rin matutunan ninyo.” (You are privileged that you will be able to watch quality programs that give not only entertainment, but knowledge as well).

Also present at the turnover ceremony were Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer, Isabel Muyargas, District Supervisor of Ipil Heights, and Minerva Carballo, Principal of Ipil Heights Elementary School.

Regine holds summer workshop

For the fifth time Regine Tolentino (you see her everyday on GMA-7’s “Unang Hirit”) who is also a fashion designer and professional dancer/choreographer, is conducting the 5th annual Regine Tolentino’s Ultimate Summer Dance Workshop for kids and teens, with the special participation of another top choreographer, Ms. Geleen Eugenio. The workshop will be held starting on April 15. The 12-session workshop will have as a culminating activity a Dance Concert/Fashion Show to be held at Market Market! Mall on May 16.

Proceeds of the show will go to Kythe Foundation, PAWS Foundation and Kapuso Foundation, according to Regine who also said they are sponsoring underprivileged children who have exceptional dancing talent.

The participants to the summer dance workshop will learn a fusion of hip-hop, jazz, ballet, gymnastics, break dancing, belly dancing, cheerleading, country line dancing, Tahitian, Latin ballroom, contemporary, tap, and even modeling and hosting, to an array of especially mixed music chosen by Ms. Tolentino.

“We promote healthy living, confidence, teamwork, creativity, fitness/flexibility and positive outlook. We adjust to the capabilities of each student and maximize their full potential in dance and the performing arts,” Regine said.

The one-of-a-kind dance workshop includes lessons about the history and principles of each dance, as well as the basic syllabus and styles for each type of dance. The participants will also get the chance to learn more about good health, proper posture, social skills and even how to choreograph their own dances! “The common vocabulary that is used for stage and theater will also be introduced, as well as the basics in modeling and speech,” Regine added.

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 8, go to Louie Mamengo, Ysabel Genato, Stephanie Pili, Jenny Edlagan, Emma Guevara and Estrella Luz B. Cabebe...