Did you ever wonder why there are so many things we learned while we were young only to discover in our adulthood that they were wrong?

Why do we have to unlearn so many things? Why can’t we learn them correctly the first time?

Why? I think because the one who taught us needed proper training himself. As young children, we accept anything that was given us without question or doubt. The problem is that even when we became adults we never bother to check the information.

Learning the London Bridge

Surely you know the popular children’s song, "London Bridge." But do you know the bridge’s real name? Is the bridge really falling down as the song says and as most commercial VCD musicals depict on the screen? No one has ever questioned this classic song’s accuracy. Most adults are so busy to even give a minute to reflect on some "child stuff." But this song with a short seemingly insignificant line has behooved generations.

I have been conducting training seminars for the past years to educators, schoolowners and parents but no one has been able to answer me correctly. Is the London Bridge really falling down? Look at the Travel Guide or Encyclopedia. There is no such thing as the bridge called London.

I was about 25 years old when I found out the truth. During my trade exhibits in Europe, as an exporter selling environmental–friendly paper products, I was excited to see London Bridge. The Britons would give me a blank look when I asked where the famous London Bridge was. So I scanned all the tour books and chanced upon the Tower Bridge of London. Aha!

This prominent historical landmark has a drawbridge that goes down at a certain time of day so people can cross to the other side. The bridge in London does not fall down. It goes down!

In my PREPPI School, I teach the children the song: "London Bridge is going down…(not falling down)." I show them the picture of the Tower Bridge of London and teach them the right name. I show them where London is in the map.

By the way, the original London Bridge really was on the verge of collapse. This was the source of inspiration of the classic song children still sing to this day. The original London Bridge is now in the U.S..

Truth – Seeker

The crux of the curriculum I wrote is how to develop the skill of a Truth-seeker. The name of the curriculum is the Truth Curriculum. The challenge is to check out and investigate before lessons are presented to children. "Why?" is the perennial ally of Truth.

As an educator, I have learned that the most important and lasting value an adult can share to a young child is the Truth --the truth that is universal and long- lasting. Unfortunately, more often than not, when it comes to feeding young minds, we give tons of shades other than the truth from colorful cartoons to wild imaginations far from reality.

When one has very good mental inputs, he will be equipped to think carefully and properly. This will guide him to make very good decisions. Emotions should follow right thinking.

Truth told is very important. Truth is the basis of reality. Reality is the foundation of creativity and imagination. Imagination is important to a creative productive life!

From Export to Education

Creativity is very important to me. I am actually an exporter-designer turned educator. I have been designing, manufacturing and exporting various handcrafted paper products from greeting cards, journals, package trims, houseware articles, and yes, even furniture and window display products for 13 years.

One of the most important life training I was exposed to was how to think creatively. Think of something NEW. Be different. If there is a lack (of materials or resources), learn to improvise within your limitations. Limit yourself not, despite your limitations.

I still vividly remember my very first handcrafted three -dimensional cards that I produced for Italy. I was thinking of something creative but cheap. The Midrib Collection, as I called it, came from my old yaya’s "walis tingting." I even had to haggle and engage in power struggle just so she will give me a bunch for my sampling. She got the shock of her life when she saw me producing 35,000 pieces of cards with her midrib look-a-likes one day.

I created the "wrinkled look" on an extensive line of collection for the Germans after I was told that a certain paper type I ordered was out of stock. I was staring blankly on my waste bin and got fixated with a crumpled paper I threw previously. So I used a plain paper with the wrinkled look. It became one of my bestsellers. Many designers copied this "exotic" creation from Paris to New York. The idea came from the waste bin!

Lasting Trends

The constant creative challenge I faced as an exporter-designer was to design and produce creations that would put a smile on people’s faces; products with wholesome impressions that would beautify their homes. I have been blessed to see my designs grace the cover of international magazines and window displays in special stores in Europe, U.S., Australia and Japan. But like any product, they are not meant to last forever. New trends will require new ideas. I was constantly competing against myself for I was designing different collections for competing companies who would display my products in International trade exhibits and stores vis-à-vis each other.

Why did I venture into education when I was doing very well with my export business?

While constantly training adults, I realized I had the gift of teaching. Training adults, most of who have not been able to finish secondary education challenged me. It gave me a real inside peek into their plight. I realized that my workers were suffering beyond the poverty of the finances. They were suffering from the poverty of the mind and spirit.

In the course of more than thirteen years, I witnessed before my very eyes how a select number of my people bloomed from immature narrow-minded young people into highly skilled and logical thinkers. There were a few of them who developed better competence than my college educated supervisors. Some of them still work with me to this day.

My inspiration evolved from designing mere paper products to "re-engineering and designing" mental states and life perspectives. I wanted to create something that would positively leave a lasting impression in the life of a person, more than just a paper impression.