The third leg of the Free Seminar series of Kumon Philippines landed in Iloilo after Cebu and Manila. I was invited to join the event and make an interview with the speakers. This free seminar is all about Education and Parenting held last Saturday, August 1, 2009. The interview was scheduled on the lunchtime right before the program starts. I tasked my other half to do the interview since she had great enthusiasm about parenting not to mention that she is a hands on mom to our daughter. We came late due to the weather disturbances that caused traffic and other hindrances. Nevertheless we arrived at the lunch venue, Max’s Restaurant in SM City and Prince Golez from Panay News who will also be interviewing the speakers was already there. We ordered our meal and after a few minutes the interview started. I did not butt in to the interview since I already tasked Aileen to do it. The conversation went smooth when Prince Golez was like already raising his voice tackling with the speakers about the current Education System in the country specifically on the issue of halting the subsidy to State Universities and Colleges as proposed by Ms. Bautista.

The Speakers and Kumon Philippines’ Officials

After the interview we headed to Cinema 6 of SM City Iloilo, the event’s venue to take pictures of the speakers. Then we went out to register ourselves to be officially a participant of the seminar. It’s really hard if you are a blogger covering an event without an ID. The battery of my Cam was confiscated because it was not allowed to take pictures inside. But then it was given back to me after few explanations when I told the one who invited me. From now on I’ll be making my own ID to wear in such events.

The seminar started with the opening remarks from Ms. Ina Duller Kumon Philippines’ Vision Communication Division leader who was also an Ilonggo. Then followed by the talk about Current Issues in Education by Dr. Lilet D. Bautista of De La Salle University’s College of Education. She talked about the current state of education in the Philippines and what must government do to boost the situation. Kumon Philippines’ Instruction Division Leader Ms. Olivia “Yoyie” Angeles shared her personal experiences in dealing with her two kids and what ways she did to make learning more fun and exciting. Next speaker was Ms. Regina “Reggie” De Jesus, National Executive Director of Philippine Mental Health Association. The topic was all about Parenting and I’ve noted 2 things of what she said the difference between the Good Parent and the Responsible Parent and the importance of hugging your child. The most interesting part is the open forum tackling some practical questions from the parent participants. And Mr. Lawrence Laureta of Kumon Cebu wrapped up the program with a closing speech.

Despite the heavy downpouring of rain and the strong wind the event was jam-packed with over 150 participants. It was hosted by Ms. Patty Laurel.