Sunday, November 18, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Christmas Trees and Memories: Inspired by MGIS’ The Giving Tree
by: Cherry Moriones-Doromal
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"The Giving Tree" is an entry to Dusit Thani Hotel's:
A Hundred Voices, Ten Hopes, One Christmas Story 2012
We hope that you’ll find time to visit The Giving Tree in Dusit at any time between November 15th and December 28th.
Help us win in this contest by clicking on the LIKE button on the Fan Page of Dusit Thani Manila, then click LIKE on the photo of MGIS’ “The Giving Tree”. By the way, every P500 spent in Dusit will also entitle you to a ballot to be used for voting. Should MGIS win, the cash prize we will be receiving will be donated to the Tahanang Walang Hagdan and Hospicio de San Jose.
When asked to draw anything on a blank sheet of paper, "trees" is my favorite subject.
Since childhood, I would often compare myself to a tree. That is because, just like it, I need the basic things to survive... I grow, I’m fruitful (I suppose), and I give my resources to benefit others.
Since childhood, I would often compare myself to a tree. That is because, just like it, I need the basic things to survive... I grow, I’m fruitful (I suppose), and I give my resources to benefit others.
I have encountered many trees in my life, real and artificial.
But, I don’t just look at them; I listen to them. Every tree has its own story.
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| (Aratilis Photo courtesy of Coconuter) |
Nearly 30 years ago, we had a favorite aratilis tree in front
of Gagalangin Unida Church in Manila where my cousins and I would play every afternoon either pretend gun
fighting using sticks or hide-and-seek…Until the tree was unexpectedly
cut-off to death.
As kids, my playmates and I felt really sad about it since it was the
sole tree standing in the garden. Indirectly, a symbol of joy and childhood was compromised. Ask my batchmates, for
sure, they still remember that aratilis tree.
At the Yellow House-- Meet my Mum and only brother Royce. Behind them is the mango tree that has witnessed many current celebrations and acquaintances in the family. As you may notice in this photo, it doesn't have much branches. Ask my Dad who felt truly annoyed about having the stems and branches trimmed.
Christmas Trees 2012 and More...
Trees may speak of travels,people and places. Above are the Christmas trees I've met in Singapore on the date stamped on the photos.
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The trees behind this Hillsong landmark are witnesses of my unforgettable trip in Sydney, as well as a wonderful reunion with a good UST High School friend Cindy.
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| Sydney Australia-- Town Hall on my background (Check out that bluish-purple jacaranda tree) |
Trees are memories of seasons. That bluish-purple jacaranda tree will always remind me of Sydney, Australia. It was abundant during the time of my visit to Australia this spring (to summer) month of November 2012.
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Behind my sons Zecheriah (L) and Ezekiel (R) is the current Christmas Tree at Diamond Hotel Manila where the family celebrated mine and my husband's 12th Wedding Anniversary on November 11, 2012
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By the way, here's our group photo with Diamond Hotel's Christmas Tree last year (2011) on the background. That tree witnessed a grand celebration of our 11th wedding anniversary last 11.11.11!
Now, I'm off to Dusit Thani Hotel to attend the lighting ceremony of another meaningful tree...
Now, I'm off to Dusit Thani Hotel to attend the lighting ceremony of another meaningful tree...
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| The Giving Tree by Mahatma Gandhi International School (MGIS |
The Giving Tree is a 10 ft. tall by 6 ft. wide Christmas tree made up of shoe boxes covered in green and red wrappers, individually and creatively designed by the Primary Years Programme (PYP) kids, and piled up to the shape of a triangular tree. Inside each box is a special gift by the pupil for a chosen beneficiary.
Our Yule tree design has sprung out of the realization that international school MGIS being an inter-cultural community with students of different backgrounds and religions, acknowledges that the Christian concept of Christmas is all about the universal values of love and giving. In general, Christmas in MGIS is being observed all-year round.
So fitting is MGIS’ tree model with our values tutelage known as MGIS CERT—Compassion, Empathy, Respect, Tolerance. “The Giving Tree” is greatly reflective of compassion and empathy.
What’s more, our tree is ecologically friendly since nothing in the tree (from top to bottom) will be wasted. Everything will be purposely utilized for a worthy cause. For instance, the round base will be transformed into a table, and donated to the Barangay Day Care afterwards. The aluminum tabs and aluminum soda cans will be donated to the Tahanang Walang Hagdan where they are being used in making canes, wheelchairs etc.
By midnight (November 16, 2012) until December 28th, you may vote for "The Giving Tree" on Dusit Thani Hotel's Facebook Fan Page... Join us, please and be a dynamic channel to touching people's lives this Christmas.
By midnight (November 16, 2012) until December 28th, you may vote for "The Giving Tree" on Dusit Thani Hotel's Facebook Fan Page... Join us, please and be a dynamic channel to touching people's lives this Christmas.
Next time, when you see a tree,
listen to the story it says.
Together, we can make a difference!
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Dating Ideas for Married Christian Couples
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
MGIS Tigers Present “The Giving Tree” at Dusit Thani
By: Cherry Moriones-Doromal
Mahatma Gandhi International School (MGIS), Manila
Philippines -- I was walking by the corridor one day when I heard the sound of
what I thought were hundreds of angels singing the French Christmas carol “ IL
EST NÉ LE DIVIN ENFANT” ( He is born the Divine Child). I peeped by the door
and checked where the music was coming from.
Oh, it’s our MGIS PYP Chorale where kids from 1st
to 5th Grade are spiritedly rehearsing for their scheduled performance on November 15, December 17, 18 and 19, 2012 at the Dusit Thani
Hotel in Makati, Philippines.
Not only that MGIS will serenade the hotel guests as slated, the
school will also erect at Dusit Thani’s lobby a meaningful Christmas tree, christened
“The Giving Tree”.
The Giving Tree is a 10 ft. tall by 6 ft. wide Christmas tree
made up of shoe boxes covered in green and red wrappers, individually and
creatively designed by the Primary Years Programme (PYP) kids, and piled up to
the shape of a triangular tree. Inside each box is a special gift by the pupil
for a chosen beneficiary.
Our Yule tree design has sprung out of the realization that
international school MGIS being an inter-cultural community with students of
different backgrounds and religions, acknowledges that the Christian concept of
Christmas is all about the universal values of love and giving. In general, Christmas in MGIS is being
observed all-year round.
 |
| Sample gifts inside our shoe boxes |
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| Sample gifts inside our shoe boxes |
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| Sample gifts inside our shoe boxes |
What’s more, our tree is ecologically friendly since nothing in the tree (from top to bottom) will be wasted. Everything will be purposely utilized for a worthy cause. For instance, the round base will be transformed into a table, and donated to the Barangay Day Care afterwards. The aluminum tabs and aluminum soda cans will be donated to the Tahanang Walang Hagdan where they are being used in making canes, wheelchairs etc.
 |
| Soda aluminum tabs collected by the students are being made into Christmas tree ornaments, which will eventually be donated to the Tahanang Walang Hagdan, to be used in making canes and wheelchairs |
We hope that you’ll find time to visit The Giving Tree in
Dusit at any time between November 15th and December 28th.
Help us win in this contest by clicking on
the LIKE button on the Fan Page of Dusit Thani Manila, then click LIKE on the
photo of MGIS’ “The Giving Tree”. By the way, every P500 spent in Dusit will
also entitle you to a ballot to be used for voting. Should MGIS win, the cash
prize we will be receiving will be donated to the Tahanang Walang Hagdan and
Hospicio de San Jose.
Preview of THE GIVING TREE (pointing to the left)--I took this video during the tree ingress on Nov. 13th midnight. Sorry,at the moment, there's no way for me to rotate the video to the right.
Let’s give love
and share joy this Christmas. Together, we can make a difference!
Next blog: Christmas Trees and Memories
A Dozen Secrets to Enjoy Your Work
To Spank, or Not to Spank: That is the Question
How to Teach the Bible to Kids
Dating Ideas for Married Christian Couples
To Spank, or Not to Spank: That is the Question
How to Teach the Bible to Kids
Dating Ideas for Married Christian Couples
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