(12/12/18) Project Walk Slipper Distribution – Makati

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Project Walk facilitated another distribution in Circuit Makati. We improved our distribution process by collaborating with the event organizers of the simultaneously occurring Christmas Party, Word International Ministries, to have the groups of children segregated by age approach the distribution line in single file. Because of this, distribution became much more organized manageable.

LO3: Shows initiative by launching a new idea or process; Suggests creative ideas, proposals or solutions

LO4: Gets involved in long-term CAS experiences and CAS project

(11/09/18 – 11/15/18) Head of Academics Interviews

As my term as Head of Academic came to a close, I, along with my co-heads of Academic, were tasked with spearheading the interview processes for the next prospective Heads of Academic. It was my first time to interview applicants.

We had to screen through each candidate’s application letter, prepare around 8 interview questions tailored to each applicant, personally interview them for around 15-20 minutes, and come to a decision later on. All Heads of Academic were involved and thorough with the selection process, which required us to skip all breaks during the interview period to personally be in attendance.

Overall, the process was fruitful and we’re very happy with our choices.

LO2: Is willing to become involved in unfamiliar environments and situations

LO3: Is able to articulate the CAS stages including investigation,  preparation, action, reflection (ongoing) and demonstration, moving from conceiving an idea to carrying out a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiences

LO5: Makes valuable contributions

LO7: Shows awareness of the potential and varied consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences; Integrates the process of reflection when facing an ethical decision; Identifies what is needed to know in order to make
an ethical decision

(10/14/18) Speaking at the Cavite Medical Society Third Postgrad Course

To raise funds for the laboratory equipment that I was donating to the GreenEarth Heritage Foundation, I sold GreenEarth’s moringa products at the annual Cavite Medical Society Third Postgrad Course and made a short speech about the benefits of moringa. Speaking in front of doctors was definitely a daunting task since it was a new experience, and I was the only teenager in the room. However, many doctors proceeded to purchase the moringa products after the speech, as they were intrigued with its ‘miracle properties’. In the end, I was able to raise enough funds to buy all the laboratory apparatus and leave extra for the foundation.

LO2: Participates in an experience that demands an appropriate personal challenge; this could be with new or familiar experiences

LO3:Is able to develop a coherent action plan taking into account the aim or purpose, activities and resources

LO4: Demonstrates regular involvement and active engagement with CAS experiences and CAS project

 

 

 

(09/28/18 – 9/29/18) MUN Locals

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During the MUN Locals 2018 Conference, I was chair for the first time. I chaired GA4, Political and Decolonization, along with HaLim Kim. The whole experience was unfamiliar to me–from writing research reports, to knowing the exact protocol during debate, to being adaptable to unforseen events throughout discussion. I was nervous at first, but thanks to the support of my fellow MUN team members (specifically HaLim), I later on became more comfortable with chairing and grew to enjoy it.

Overall, my first time chairing was a success, and I would love to do it again given the opportunity.

LO2: Participates in an experience that demands an appropriate personal challenge; this could be with new or familiar experiences; Shows newly acquired or developed skills or
increased expertise in an established area

LO4: Demonstrates adaptability to uncertainties and changes

LO5: Shows respect for different points of view and ideas

LO6: Shows awareness of issues of global importance and takes concrete and appropriate actions in response to them either locally, nationally or internationally; Gets involved in CAS projects addressing global issues in a local, national or international context

LO7: Takes into account cultural context when making a plan or ethical decision; Recognizes ethical issues

 

 

(09/22/18) GreenEarth Science Laboratory Groundbreaking

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I was notified of the groundbreaking of the science laboratory that I had helped develop in the GreenEarth Heritage Foundation only the day before. The day of the groundbreaking was also Extended Essay (EE) day, so I had to make the decision between attending the groundbreaking or the EE day event. Eventually, because the date of the groundbreaking could not be moved, I explained my situation to my EE supervisor and asked if I could skip. He agreed and told me that we could discuss my EE at a later time (and I thus had to set up meetings with him for this purpose later on). I also had to hurriedly sort out the logistics of the cumulative 8 hour trip. Thankfully, the day of the groundbreaking went by smoothly, and I was able to catch up with my EE.

LO4: Demonstrates adaptability to uncertainties and changes

LO7: Articulates ethical principles and approaches to ethical decisions; Shows accountability for choices and actions

(09/08/18) Project Walk Distribution – San Juan and Escolta

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Many months of preparation led up to Project Walk’s first ever slipper distribution–from fundraising, to purchasing the slippers in bulk, to coordinating with Operation Blessing and its partner organization, to planning the discussions. The distribution itself was hectic, as we were catering to more than 300 youth members. However, the logistics were well sorted out, so there were no major obstacles needed to be faced.  Ultimately, the distribution was very successful–many children walked out of the event happily wearing their brand new slippers.

LO3: Is able to articulate the CAS stages including investigation, preparation, action, reflection (ongoing) and demonstration, moving from conceiving an idea to carrying out a plan for a
CAS experience or series of CAS experiences; Is aware of roles and responsibilities when designing an individual or collective CAS experience

LO4:Demonstrates regular involvement and active engagement with CAS experiences and CAS project

LO6: Shows awareness of issues of global importance and takes concrete and appropriate actions in response to them either locally, nationally or internationally; Develops awareness and responsibility towards a
shared humanity

(08/26/18) Project Walk Fundraiser Part 2

To increase funds to buy slippers, the Project Walk team decided to broaden the fundraising demographic to different parts of Manila, such as Parañaque. We sold clothes that we bought at consignment and encouraged buyers to purchase these at higher prices.

LO3: Suggests creative ideas, proposals or solutions

LO5: Is responsible for participating in the group

 

(07/25/18 – 07/26/18) Green Earth Science Activities

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Over the summer, I made an overnight visit to the GreenEarth Heritage Foundation to investigate the type of laboratory apparatus appropriate to the children. In doing so, I planned a few science activities and games with the kids, such as baking soda experiments, ‘invisible ink’ games, and arts and crafts.

During this time, the rain was pouring in the area of the foundation, so it was difficult to plan and communicate with the organization. There were many things to plan–logistics, program, food were just some of them. Nonetheless, I persevered through the obstacles of planning, and the visit ended successfully.

I also engaged in a tree planting activity.

LO1: Able to propose activities according to own interests and talents

LO2: Participates in an experience that demands an appropriate personal challenge; this could be with new or familiar experiences

LO3: Is able to develop a coherent action plan taking into account the aim or purpose, activities and resources

LO4: Gets involved in long-term CAS experiences and CAS project

LO6: Gets involved in CAS projects addressing global issues in a local, national or international context

 

(07/16/18) Project Walk Fundraiser at Bluebay Walk

In the Philippines, so many children have to walk on the hot, uneven pavement to and from school or work without protection from their feet, which hamper their travel, pose a potential health threat, and discourage them from continuing their education. In response to this problem, I set up Project Walk, a non-profit organization that aims to provide slippers to children.

The first step of Project Walk’s journey is fundraising, which I did at the District 1308 Bazaar in Bluebay Walk by selling t-shirts along with the rest of the Project Walk team. Initially, we were worried about the lack of buyers in the bazaar, seeing as there was an ongoing Manny Pacquaio match on that day. However, we quashed our worries by pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones to call every passerby and explain Project Walk’s aim, which led them to buy our shirts. Overall, the fundraiser was successful, as we earned more than 10,000php.

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LO2: Shows newly acquired or developed skills or increased expertise in an established area

Through this bazaar, I developed my fundraising skills, as I had to fundraise to people– mostly adults–I had never met.

LO3: Is able to articulate the CAS stages including investigation, preparation, action, reflection (ongoing) and demonstration, moving from conceiving an idea to carrying out a plan for a  CAS experience or series of CAS experiences

This fundraiser was an integral preparation for the purchase and distribution of the slippers.

LO4: Demonstrates adaptability to uncertainties and changes

We demonstrated adaptability to the uncertainty of a steady flow of buyers at the bazaar.

LO5: Is willing to take on different roles within a team

I rotated among taking inventory, checking stocks, making the transactions, and orienting buyers about Project Walk.

LO6: Shows awareness of issues of global importance and takes concrete and appropriate actions in response to them either locally, nationally or internationally

I showed awareness towards the discontinuation of education among impoverished children due to the struggles of travel and took concrete actions such as starting an organization and fundraising in response to this.

(07/02/2018 – 07/13/2018) Internship

To gain more exposure to the stock market, I worked as an intern for HDI Securities, one of the Philippines’s leading brokerages. I worked under the research and finance department and accomplished a plethora of tasks–from writing a blog to completing IPO and company news reports to helping make an actual company screening–and took up one-on-one lessons with my boss about finance and accounting. I am thankful for this experience, as it allowed me to learn holistically about finance, economics, and accounting and to be immersed in a workplace environment.

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LO1: Open to improvement and growth opportunities

Although I had a basic sense of financial knowledge, I was willing to further this knowledge and thus became an intern at a brokerage.

LO2: Is willing to become involved in unfamiliar environments and situations; Acquires new skills and abilities

I had never been completely immersed in the brokerage environment but took on the challenge in order to learn more about the stock market. I was able to gain new skills such as developing company reports and using financial ratios to assess companies.

LO3: Suggests creative ideas, proposals or solutions

I suggested several ideas regarding the social media presence of HDI during our meetings.

LO5: Readily assists others

As an intern, I helped my boss in his job whenever necessary, even if he had assigned me a different task.

LO6: Shows awareness of issues of global importance and takes concrete and appropriate actions in response to them either locally, nationally or internationally.

The Philippine Stock Exchange has recently allowed short selling in the Philippines, which impacts the stock market significantly, so I wrote a blog post about it on HDI Securities’s website.

LO7: Shows accountability for choices and actions

Because of the short length of my summer break, I could only intern for two weeks, as I had other requirements to fulfill. As a result, I had to work double time in learning and absorbing information, as well as accomplishing my tasks.