Building Bridges of Peace with Asia America Initiative: A more stable future ahead.

Building a Culture of Peace brought mutual understanding among young Christians and Muslims. The activity held by the Asia America Initiative, The Consular Corps of the Philippines and Artistikong Kabataan Foundation Philippines at the Maharlika Elementary School in Taguig Philppines on February 28, 2011; is an exemplar of making peace a way of living a fun and colorful life.

The activity had identified the interests of the children and nourished their pursuit for a peaceful world. Simultaenous workshops were done. There were 20 children per workshop.The garden of peace have taught the children to take care of the environment.The wall for peace rekindled the imagination and potential artistry of the children. The cultural dialogues  let the children share their cultures particularly their religion and bridged the gaps between muslims and christians. The writers for peace and arts for peace have let the children express themselves and discover inner peace within them.

Much has been achieved by the team. Asia America Initiative have finally established the peace tree programs together with Artistikong Kabataan Philippines Inc., a local youth community based group which shares the same idea with AAI in attaining peace and sustainable development through the arts. Their partnership will be on a long term basis, as the sound of peace never fades, yet one must follow it. It is a break through in giving a qualitative input for peace building as its outcome will be deep rooted in the hearts of the children who will continue playing the sound of peace.

The Peace tree contains all the messages of how to attain peace in their own ways by everybody involved for the day.  Everyone has put their personal measures, some days that they won;t bully their classmates, some says they will follow their parents and listen to their teachers, etc. These are simple things that has a big impact in changing the world.

 Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, the country director of AAI Philippines and Anna Karina Jardin, the founder/president of AKP Philippines (and also the Committee Chair for arts, culture and music of AAI) would go for a race to 100 peace trees around Asia with the aim of rearing the next generation to stand for peace and practice non violence and refuse the pathways of corruption. The outputs of the event shall spread legacy  of AAI's founder/president,Mr. Albert Santoli in building peace across the world.

"Peace is found when we relax our own minds and breathe, like grasshoppers sitting in a warm breeze to watch the grass grow or sea birds riding on choppy green waves on to sunlit sandy shores. We see our neighbors and fellow students as our brothers and sisters, sharing many hopes and dreams.", the exact message from our founder/president at AAI,Mr.Albert Santol; shall be long lived as many children says "I FINALLY FOUND MY HAPPINESS FOR THE FIRST TIME".

Finding the Inspiration behind money, leadership and service: ASEAN YOUTH CONGRESS 2011

The Asean Youth Congress 2011 organized by AIESEC was held at the Binus Univesity Jakarta,Indonesia last April 25-30, 2011. It was attended by hundreds of youth leaders, students, and people who are interested to build a better region through amity and peace, and innovations. This year, the activity focused on building, telling and showing the impact of leadership and entrepreneurship at the same time. The theme "Impactful ASEAN Youth Leadpreneur" took center stage due to the socio-economic and cultural patterns that the young ones are into. AISEC put up a great program for its learners to ponder on and carry to their respective places.

Interactive, informative and artistic discussions were organized by AIESEC. The event was graced by the former Vice President of the republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, to boost the leadership spirit among the young people who are present at the occasion. International speakers were present as well to share the inspiration and help the delegates produce a lucrative output at the end of the congress. 

The AIESEC culture of instilling leadership with values among the youth is very unique as they make it more fun and skin deep as the essence of friendship is always carried through borders of the world. There were sounds of peace and amity, fluidity to movements that could reshape the region to be better. AIESEC -AYC 2011 together with the founder and president  Anna Karina Jardin of Artistikong Kabataan Philippines Inc. painted and put up a wall of hope and dreams and had all delegates commit in rebuilding a better region in Asia. Creativity is what all innovators have in their minds. 

The Congress had series of plenary talks, corporate sessions including the talk show format, break out sessions and networking periods. Erwin Chan, Anna Karina Jardin, Julie Adams were some of the International speakers who were present to share and exchange thoughts with the delegates for the AYC 2011. Alanda Khariza, Iman Usman, Awit Ridianati, Betti Alisjhabana, Vania Santoso and other prominent visionaries from Indonesia were present.  Tarsten Kuenzlen the President of Coca Cola Indonesia gave a comprehensive plenary talk connecting impressions and expressions to succeed in the corporate world.

The totality of the event captured the real deal in being youth: revitilized spirit and energy, innovations, actions driven by enthusiasm. Action plans were made concrete at Saldepos,Bogor during the extensive leadpreneur training camp . All the delegates are off to a new phase in their lives as leadpreneurs of Asia.

"A man on a mission is nothing compare to a man with money", The Asean Youth Congress is a good investment for its learners as they have learnt the beauty of social impact and money making without hurting other people.

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LET’S SAVE THE EARTH THROUGH THE ARTS- Artistikong Kabataan way!

We get most of our treasures from the cycle of life. Reuse, Reduce and Recycle are the three components of our sustainable happiness. Artistikong Kabataan Philippines and the Brgy.Pitogo of Makati and its Sangguniang Kabataan had its first workshop on saving the world. The recently concluded activity at the Brgy.Pitogo learning center has been successful. “Saving the Environment through the arts” had actually reduced a number of plastic bottles being thrown and other rubbishes that could be detrimental to the lives of most of us due to the fact that plastics are non-biodegradable but we can actually recycle it.

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Sir Pete Rabago of Brgy.Pitogo has been with Jardin in implementing projects within the area. Volunteers have been assisting the children in making their reminder pen holder where they can put their measures in saving the world.

The activity held last March 12, 2011; aims to strengthen the commitment of baranggays in 

instilling good citizenship and artistry among their locals. The learners vary from 5 to 12 years of age. The SKs in partnership with AKP learns innovations in project writing and implementation. 

AKP and the Brgy.Pitogo SK, and the children have been participative in campaigning for a better quality of life through the arts. “Saving the earth through the arts” program was originally designed by AKP and use as one of the ways to help children be involved in saving the world from further damage. Saunar, one of the volunteers and who acts as the vice president for internal affairs of AKP says that “Through the simple activities that we are doing in AKP, we are actually helping the next generation to be more creative in solving the current issues that we are facing”.

Kuya Josh and Mr Matchstick

This is a short story made by Ms. Rhea Penflor and Illustrations by Anna Karina Jardin. It is about instilling values among children and keeping away from fire, as it may harm lives. This is an advocacy about education, values formation and fire prevention.
*THIS CANT BE REPRODUCED NOR PRINTED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE FROM ITS WRITER AND ILLUSTRATOR.
Intellectual property rights belongs to Rhea Penaflor, Anna Karina Jardin, and Artistikong Kabataan Foundation Inc.

Every day, Kuya Josh observes Grandma use matchstick to light the stove especially when Grandma prepares breakfast. Kuya Josh calls Grandma “Nanay” while he calls his mother, “Mommy.”

One day, Nanay left Kuya Josh at home because she needs to buy something from the market.

Nanay: Kuya Josh, I’ll be back right away. Do not play with fire, okay? And don’t leave the house while Manang is washing the clothes, understand?

Kuya Josh: Yes, Nanay.

When Nanay left, Kuya Josh searched for the matchbox, first in the dining room, then in the kitchen. He found it but he has to climb a chair just to get it.

When he opened the matchbox, something popped out with its hands on its waist. Kuya Josh’s eyes grew huge.

“Kuya Josh, I am Mr. Matchstick. What did Nanay tell you?”

Kuya Josh: Uhm…Not to play with fire?

Mr. Matchstick: And what are you doing now?

Kuya Josh: I’m just…

Mr. Matchstick: Do not lie, Kuya Josh. Remember, it’s bad to lie.

Kuya Josh: Sorry, Mr. Matchstick. I won’t lie again. Please don’t tell Nanay because that will make her sad.

And then, Mr. Matchstick disappeared

Nanay just arrived from the market. She asked Kuya Josh.
Nanay: Kuya Josh, were you a good boy here at home?
Kuya Josh: Yes, Nanay. I promise not to play with fire or to say lies ever again. I swear Nanay.
Nanay: That’s my grandson. Come here, I bought you some fruits.

And Kuya Josh never played fire again or ever said lies.

AKDesigns©

Voulume 1                          

DESIGNING OTHER LIVES WITHOUT BEING TOLD

A person normally acts upon a summon of a hierarchy in the society. It can be in a form of his mother, father, boss, or whoever he ought to know as an authority. Or he  simply acts out of respect.  The human movement correlates emotions and intelligence. He is given the brain to act responsibly towards every stimuli. 

The status quo makes us act in accordance to our survival guidelines. And there are those who act with kindness for their survival and well being progresses as they help others without being told. The stories of impoverished children,oppressed households, and inflictions caused by misunderstandings made an artist mature as she shares to the world her point of views and her hands to help build a better future together with today's youth and the next generation. 

The children who were building their hopes along their shanties in Payatas,  Bataan, Masbate, and other parts of the Philippines with severe conditions made AKDesigns© work artistically to bridge them to a better life.

AK Designs ©  is about an industry of helping people help themselves. It is made by young people and for the younger generations who are victimized by the socio-econo and cultural turmoil of today's world.

This has been a long time dream for Anna Karina Jardin, as she has been scribbling her childhood days on the back of her father's old documents from the office. Subsequently, her scribbles went through the walls of her mother's house, and today, she has a 7 year old exploratory room which has her wall paintings, and several mural works for public schools around Manila, Philippines. She has been committed with social works and developing communities through the arts and the children.

Growing along with the emerging styles of visual artistry, her art works shows the beauty of life, and the ambience of the Philippines. Today, the artist within her persona is maturing as she shares her point of view, passion and scheme of colors to you, to those who are in need and to those who would want to be aware  of the status quo. The undying love and support of her parents and good friend gave birth to AKDesigns©.

AKdesigns© offers us 4C's: CREATIVITY, CONNECTIONS, CHARITY, CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS. 

CREATIVITY-- It shall enhance our thinking and squeeze our creative juices as we gradually have more concepts in reaching our targets which are to SAVE LIVES, REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY, ERADICATE EXTREME HUNGER AND POVERTY THROUGH EDUCATION, AWARENESS ABOUT CULTURES AND THE ENVIRONMENT and A FULL APPRECIATION of the HUMAN RIGHTS. Knowing that the best antidote to all forms of war is the arts.

CONNECTIONS- This is all about establishing connections and a well rounded career for us, young people. As it values CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS as well. This is open to all nationalities. Every month, the social work that we conduct in Philippines includes people of other races. We let them explore the side of the Philippines. If ever we gain a partner abroad, imagine how much joy and abundance we would be able to share with the less fortunate specially in third world countries.

CHARITY and COMMITMENT-- Is the focal point of all of these effort and endeavor!!! This is a stress relieving activity as well, it makes happy hearts and minds and as well as happy faces.

There are some things in this world that needs to be done without being told. Let us use our God given senses.. after all, the answer to all problems are in our hands. We just have to be creative and responsible of  what we perceive to do and speak of. Design a better country together with us-- AKDesigns© Philippines.

You may contact us at akjardin@yahoo.com/09209382691

YOU MAY CHECK ON OUR PRODUCTS AT THIS LINK:

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LEARNING ABOUT PAINS OF GROWING UP

Waking up at 4 am going to school has been my lifestyle for like 10 years now since we moved up in the south. It is really tiring for me and my siblings to actually travel. But I guess that is my destiny.. To travel. I feel like I live in my dad's car because most of the time I do my stuffs there except that is I do not answer the call of nature inside the car.

The time I have been spending is more of an indicator of how far will I go for my dreams. It taught me perseverance. Seeing how my parents strive hard to give us a good life, made me more eager to succeed in my chosen endeavor.

I am turning a year older again on the 24th of September. Another 360 days to face! If I will have to blow my candle I will only wish that my bones will grow a bit  longer and bigger. God is so wise that He didn't give me 5 inches more because He knows that I would want to be a MISS UNIVERSE.hehehe. I thought that I would create a difference if I am a beauty queen, little i didn't know that inside that world is by far different from what I have used to know when I was younger. Now, I know why God molded me to be like this. 

My family's love protected me from harm and exploitation. I am more of a worker. My words and stories are just drawn from my experiences in life, lessons that I have learned and inferred from the people who shared their lives with me regardless of the bad and good aspects. Important thing is that I enjoy and will keep on enjoying the fruits of learning. 

In my previous blog, I have highlighted the importance of the tongue and the taste buds as if defines ones sensibility and moral judgment. Just take a look on a baby and an old woman eating a piece of cracker. In a glance, you will know how they think about things. If the taste is not good usually younger people puke it while the older ones swallows it. Was it because of impression? Protocol? or whatever reason that the taste buds are receptive to. This is more of a picture of a psyche telling us that, as we grow older we tend to look for an identity. Given the theory by John Locke that man is like a tabula rasa- a blank mind. As man adopts to his surrounding, he tend to react on the different stimuli around him. And so he learns and makes up his identity. Again, the taste buds tells how genuine we react to things. A smiling face while drinking vinegar is a picture of hypocrisy. Have you ever felt that way?

I kept on hearing about the pains of growing up like it is being high lighted to me whenever I speak to this persons; as if they want me to really feel it. Gosh, i feel there are those who want me to feel in pain. iF THERE IS ONE USELESS THING TO DO THEN IT IS TO WORRY ABOUT NOTHING.  

This brings me to a self inflicted thing--- SELF PITTY. This is the feeling by which no one should feel about. It invites negative ions in your body and makes you feel sick. it will also make your face deformed.Would you want that?

Pain while growing up is indeed inevitable specially to those who weren't born with beautiful teeth and thanks to their parents, they have braces. Wearing braces is never easy actually but I believe in the promise of aesthetics and by the hands of my dentist that "BRACES MAKE BEAUTIFUL FACES". My mom said that if I want to look good, do not mind the pain.

Another thing that makes me feel special is that the pain that I went through from the series of events in my life. Also, what is most painful while growing up besides learning how to use a high heeled shoes for ladies like us would be loosing self respect because of irrational decisions. Irrationality driven by the trends of todays society has brought many young minds to act irresponsibly with matters confronting them.

One lesson that I have learnt is that, WHATEVER THEY SAY AGAINST YOU, DO NOT SPEAK ABOUT ILL THINGS TOWaRDS THEM. You will then realize that you are by far in a higher altitude than them because of their behavior towards you. DO NOT STOOP DOWN TO THEIR LEVELS. 

In my field of involvement,grasping different personas made me literately accurate when i make judgments among people. I never speak about others unless I have been with them or whatever ways that shown his or her psyche. Take for example this anecdote "I have met several idealistic minds who never had such experience but I refer them as intelligent ones. they are decisive about who to be with and hang out with, and they will even kiss your ass just to get in your circle. Then after those sweet words, they will plant words of illness in your field of people. This is an implication of envy and jealousy."

My father taught this,"PLANT SEEDS OF GOODNESS AND YOU SHALL HARVEST GOOD THINGS IN LIFE. IF YOU PLANT SEEDS OF BADNESS, THEN YOU SHALL ROTT ALONG WITH IT".

Being fertile and futile in this society is a choice actually, speaking as a philanthropist at an early age. To be fertile is to be productive. My parents are like the constant variables affecting my growth. I am the first born in the family and pressure as I grow up is quite sent to me in a package wrapped with a very beautiful ribbon. Little i didn't know that inside it is a surprise. 

In physics we have learned that effort is necessary in able to produce pressure. Action thus defines our efforts for a better being. I am really happy that my efforts are not futile to be a better person. Physically, I am not attractive they even called me names because of the way I look. All I know that I am born complete and I am happy enough that I can draw. I love crayola when I was young and subsequently I indulged myself in colors and form through painting.

Skills are by far important defining a person. It makes a person susceptible to different opportunities in life. Valuing and sharing ones talents is a virtue.  Take criticism as a word of encouragement. I will not deny the fact that criticisms made me a stronger person.  Let your personality shine in the midst of darkness. There are  people who will get jealous of you and your illuminance. There will be people who will make gossips against you, never mind them.. just like them, You are entitled the happiness. Bear in your mind that YOU ARE MAKING THEM HAPPY while they are talking about your back and THAT IS THE ONLY THING THEY KNOW. THEREFORE, IT MAKES SENSE IF I SAY THAT THOSE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING YOU GO HIGH UP IN THE SKIES. THEY JUST ONLY TALK BECAUSE YOU ARE UNREACHABLE.

Bite your tongue - enhancing ones sensibility

When I was younger, my kindergarten teacher grouped us by table and asked us to bring the following: vinegar, salt, candies,   bitter melon, and pepper. The next morning we were tasked to taste each one of what we have brought as a group. Of course, everybody will try the candies because of the familiar taste of that for 5 year old kids. I bet sweet is the best taste for the kids and typical Filipinos. The vinegar taste made our faces crumpled like a sharpei dog. The bitter melon made us puke because of its bitterness. Salt is more of a universal favorite in the household, and by most kids too as they can find it in junk foods as well. And lastly, the taste of pepper made almost everybody cry in the classroom except for my bully classmates who pretended that its had an insipid taste on their mouth. This tasting exercise shown our genuine reflection. As it was through our innocent mouths, we recognized the tastes of life. In this case, it is more like REAL because the taste buds are too sensitive not to recognize tastes and create chemical reactions which subsequently modifies our facial reaction and feelings.

Scientifically speaking, the tongue plays an important role in our digestive system.  It  is a strong muscle anchored to the floor of the mouth. It is covered by the lingual membrane which has special areas to detect tastes.

The tongue is composed of muscles attached to the lower jaw and to the hyoid bone (a small, U-shaped bone that lies deep in the muscles at the back of the tongue) above the larynx.

On the top surface of the tongue there are small nodules called papillae that give the tongue its rough texture. Between the papillae at the sides and base of the tongue, there are small bulb-like structures that are the taste buds. The muscle fibers of the tongue are heavily supplied with nerves.

Babies have more taste buds than adults and they have these almost everywhere in the mouth, including the cheeks.

The tongue aids in the formation of the sounds of speech and coordinates its movements to aid in swallowing.

The adjective for tongue is "lingual". So the papillae of the tongue are the lingual papillae.

Given this tongue description. I think it is also one good basis of ones sensibility, seemingly the younger you are the more taste buds you have; the more sensitive you are. Will this be a justification for some of those old ones who are insensitive? Scientifically YES, again as you grow older the taste buds become less. Which also explains the genuine smiles of the babies and children. The muscle contractions is ones face has something to do with the sense of taste. Along with the nose, the tongue is efficiently will be working in identifying tastes. If we do not like the taste we often hold our nose and gradually put that thing in our mouth. 

This brings me to our sensibility as human beings. This society has different stimuli which could improve our persona, irritate our minds, and more so. This brings me to the social contract theory of Rousseau that our senses and sensibility towards matters . It is stated that"As long as a people is compelled to obey, and obeys, it does well; as soon as it can shake off the yoke, and shakes it off, it does still better; for, regaining its liberty by the same right as took it away, either it is justified in resuming it, or there was no justification for those who took it away." But the social order is a sacred right which is the basis of all other rights. Nevertheless, this right does not come from nature, and must therefore be founded on conventions. Before coming to that, I have to prove what I have just asserted. Therefore, a keen observance of what is common must follow and our sense of belongingness will cement our moral judgments which is patters off from our sensibility.

It is then, according to Grotius, doubtful whether the human race belongs to a hundred men, or that hundred men to the human race. e seems to incline to the former alternative, which is also the view of Hobbes. On this showing, the human species is divided into so many herds of cattle, each with its ruler, who keeps guard over them for the purpose of devouring them.

We may refer culture as one of the stimulants in this growing society. BEAR IN MIND THAT OUR SENSIBILITY AND SENSE OF BELONGINGNESS comes in variations. We must value the following matters as it identifies us among the crowd:

1. All men are created equal, the only variations that we have is our upbringing.
2. Values are to be taught and learned from our family, mentors, and from our religious beliefs.
3. There people who are really born to stand out, and remember that YOU are one of them!
4. Always pray for guidance. Your decision in life must be thought along with the grace of our Creator.
5. Do not ever pretend to be somebody. Because you are Unique.
6. Whatever we say and do might break or make us. Be decisive.
7. Trust your capabilities and enrich your talents, this will make you feel at ease with anyone.
8. Value your individuality.
9. Love your God, country, family, friends, and people who have been there for you for better and for worst.
10. Your enemies will make you shine in major way!!!! Your detractors are just shaping you-- because if you have them you're value is by far higher than them. REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE A DIAMOND.

See how ones tongue interjects everything. So tongues up!