Anthony Taberna during the Baby Blast 4 event
As more and more diversions are created for
children to engage in, how can we help in making sure a child gets the best
kind of learning at his or her most crucial stages? Kids nowadays are spending
less and less time outdoors, having been exposed to gadgets and other forms of
technology even as infants. But recent studies show that children, especially
those aged 3 and below, who play outdoors regularly grow up happier, healthier,
and stronger!
Since 2010, Baby Blast has spread awareness
that enjoyable, unforced learning, as well as hands-on play and parent-child
bonding during the age of 0-3 years is critical in laying down the foundation
for the child’s future learning and holistic development. Every year,
attendance to the event grows in number, as more families enjoy the fun
activities and learn from the featured topics.
Outbox Media Production Agency, in
cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and
Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), once again celebrated the wonder of life at
its early stages! EHS advocates, teachers, experts and parents together with
their kids, gathered last April 14, 2013, from 10am-8pm at the Trinoma Activity
Center for “Baby Blast Year 4: Discover, Create, Imagine and Explore!” a
one-day event highlighting the importance of early childhood education.
This year’s event was hosted by Toni Aquino
of DZMM, Jackie Go of gojackiego.com, pre-school teacher and TV host, Nikki
Veron Cruz, celebrity moms Snooky Serna and Jenny Miller, sportscaster Anthony
Suntay and journalist Peach Mascarinas, together with the tandem of Anthony and
Rossel Taberna. Performances and messages of support for early education were
also given by Gail Blanco, Paolo Santos, Patricia Bermudez-Hizon and Tintin
Bersola-Babao.
The program was opened by a dance number
from talented child singer Pauline Agupitan, together with the Neutron Acrobats
and OBM Dancers.
This year’s program highlighted the importance
of allowing babies and kids to experience the outdoors and engage in physical
activities that can benefit their social, mental, physical and emotional
development, given today’s tendency to merely rely on gadgets and technology to
keep kids busy.
There were parenting and health talks led
by experts and medical practitioners, like Ms. Glenda Derla, Child Welfare
Specialist from the DSWD and Dra. Cynthia Cuayo-Juico of the PPS - School
Health Committee.
Echo Store owner, Sharon Chua, shared an
interesting topic on being a “green mom” or “eco mom”, discussing how kids can
become more environmentally conscious and giving a recycling demo called “From
Trash to Toys." Life coach Ms. Maricel Moreno-Laraya also
gave a talk for parents on “How To Keep A Loving Relationship With Your
Partner.” Essential Newborn Care was also tackled by the Consultant of the MMC
and CSMC Pediatrics Department, Dra. Lourraine Co, MD, FPPS.
A revival of traditional Filipino outdoor
games or “Palarong Pinoy” was also dicussed and demonstrated by TV Host Patty
Nuguid-Santos of Buhay Pinoy, promoting the benefits of fun play and
interaction for young kids.
On-ground areas like the World of
Discovery, Beyond your Imagination, Baby Explorers and Creativity Corner gave
kids the chance to play and interact with other kids, browse through books,
play with toys, draw with art materials, and get hands-on with the educational
gadgets and activities available today.
Contests for the whole family were held before
the event, and winners were awarded during the program. Baby Magazine held the “Brilliant
Babies Video Contest” where parents sent videos of their babies showing
advanced development. The winning entry received a 1-year subscription from
Baby Magazine, along with other prizes.
The “We Love the Outdoors Family Contest” gave
families a chance to submit their best photo doing a fun, outdoor activity. The
winning entry won a family staycation package at the Waterfront Manila
Pavilion. Other contests held were the “Design My T-Shirt” art contest where
kids submitted their interpretation of this year’s Baby Blast theme. The
winning entry became the official Baby Blast event t-shirt design and received
art materials and other prizes. For the moms and dads, The Blounge Salon also
raffled off a Full Pampering package to give parents a well-deserved treat.
Both kids and parents also joined fun
contests from Bye Bye Fever, Rite Med, Refresh Big Sip, Regent, Ferna, Lock
& Lock, Bibbo Hotdog, Bounty Fresh, Uratex, Osihi, and Magnolia Frozen
Delights. Lots of prizes were given away!
The event’s official print partner, Baby
Magazine, also held a Search for the Cutest Babies attending the event. Babies
were awarded at various times during the program, and all selected babies will
be featured in the magazine’s next issue. Pre-schools like Dynamic Recall, Playlab,
LinxProvi8, H.A.N.D.S. of Children, Filway Marketing, and First Robotics also
presented their EHS Programs for parents who are looking for schools to enroll
their kids for the summer or for the next school year. There were also mascot appearances by Ainon
Baby, Bibbo Hotdogs, Robby Rabbit, and TJ Hotdogs, much to the kids’ delight!
Cool science experiments by Mad Science
captivated the kids in the audience! Diliman Prep School also had their taekwondo
team onstage to demonstrate a routine. Self-defense
techniques to stop bullying were also presented by International Krav Maga
Federation (IKMF).
Free face painting and kiddie hairstyling
was also made available to the event participants courtesy of Outbox Media.
Booths and other fun activities wowed everyone, and exciting freebies and loot
bags were also given away. It was truly a great day for the whole family!
Baby Blast is an annual event that aims to
enlighten parents that enjoyable, unforced learning, as well as hands-on play
and parent-child bonding at an early age is the key to an intelligent,
well-rounded and well-mannered individuals. See you again next year for another
round of Fun Learning!
This event was made possible by Purefoods
Crispy Chicken Burger, Purefoods Crispy And Juicy Drummets, Purefoods Tender
Juicy Hotdogs, Magnolia Frozen Delights, Bounty Fresh Chicken, Regent Foods
Corporation, Refresh Big Sip "Big Sip Sarap For Big Thirst", Jack N'
Jill Candies, Ritemed, Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel, Bibbo Cheesedog, Ferna
Hotcakes, Bye-Bye Fever, Uratex Foam, Robby Rabbit, Ainon Babies, Lock And
Lock, Oishi Choco Flakes, Unilever, New San Jose Builders, Links Provi8, Ahavia
Spa, Transfer It, I Clickz Photo Booth, Fax, Parcel And Print, 18 Days Coffee
Roaster, Dental First, Guard Protect, The Blounge Hi Tech Salon, Tunying's
Sarap Tinapay To The Max, Together With Baby Magazine, Official Magazine
Partner, Studio 23, 96.3 Easy Rock, Dzmm Tele Radyo, Moms Today, Health Today,
Moms And Kids, Mod Magazine, Woman Today, Q Asia, Parentin.Tv, wheninmanila.com
and manilalife.com.
For more information on this event and
other upcoming events from Outbox Media Production Agency, log on to: www.outboxmedia.com.ph
