So the boys have been attending a private school here in the Philippines. After a rough start, I'm happy to see that Theo is beginning to make friends and doesn't protest as much to go everyday. Desmond on the other hand, can't get himself to like it yet. We were able to get the boys to be in the same class. Not really the same level, but at least going at the same time and in the same room. DJ is in "Junior-Advanced" Casa, and Theo is in "Advanced Casa", both in "Montessori" Kindergarten style, (quotes around "Montessori" intentional.)
One of the highlights this past week was an event held at the local mall by their school called, United Nations Day Pageant/Parade.
Unaware of what kind of preparation this event truly called for, we agreed to have the kids participate. After all, recognizing other nations and world affairs is a good thing, right? Anyway, we were told that they would need a flag and a sash of an assigned country. We worked diligently creating as best the boys could, (with as little help from the parents as is tolerated) a flag each of Argentina, using watercolors, markers and bamboo sticks. The result was fabulous, (as fabulous as could be the work done truly by children 6 and 4.) I went ahead and made the sashes myself, using paper and marker.
The day before the parade, we noticed that one of the boys' classmates was preparing an elaborate costume for her country. Stunning, glitter-glue doused spikes to adorn her head, and a cellophane-red-flamed torch for her to hold was her costume as the Statue of Liberty.
They are supposed to have a costume???
Well, the best I could come up with, after scouring the internet for Argentinian dress was a picture of a Gaucho, a native cowboy from Argentina. That's simple, just a white button down shirt, khaki pants, and a kerchief around the neck. Was able to find the right clothes and the appropriate kerchief from a recent GK event. Simple. They now had their outfit and their accessories.
The day of the event was met with excitement. Turned out the excitement was mostly mine and because the boys ended up protesting all the way. When we got to the mall, imagine our surprise (although I should have seen it coming) over 200 young kindergarten students done up in the most amazing, flambouyant, obviously not-made-with-their-own-hands costumes. There were Egyptian pharoahs, Japanese Geishas, an exact costume replica of Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. And it was CROWDED and chaotic. It was literally, a huge production, and most all of the flags that the other children were bought from a store. I realized that it was not so much a chance to show off how much the students have learned about other nations as it was about who could win the best prize for the best costume. I even saw an Uncle Sam walking around somewhere...
I could only stand allowing the kids to march in the parade around the mall, which had a wonderful marching band leading us, and Theo at least, enjoyed walking around the mall unaccompanied by his parents. DJ on the other hand, needed my hand to hold the entire way.
After the parade, I said enough is enough, and my kids would not stand still for any kind of pageant or costume contest. We dismissed ourselves from the festivities to have lunch at a restaurant in the mall. We had just settled down and ordered, when the teachers of the boy's class found us saying they needed them back in order to be counted, or else their school would not win the prize for having the most people participate. Well after a bit of protesting, I allowed the boys to go back and be counted as participants, while their food waited back at the restaurant table.
I imagine the school won. I don't know. But I do know that school is different here, and perhaps given time, the benefits of putting them in school here in the province will be seen. As I've said, Theo seems to be making friends, asking to play in the school park after school for twenty minutes before going home.
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On a side note, I came here looking for real good Filipino music. As a young visitor over 10 years ago to the Philippines, I stumbled across a cassette tape of a compilation of musicians. One of them was Bayang Barrios, and from that one song, called Bagong Umaga (New Day) I know that I wanted to hear more of her. What I like is that her music seems to come from the heart of the Philippines, and is uncorrupted by today's popular trappings, so prevalent in the taste of Filipino radio. She is also socially conscious and an advocate for peace, social justice and the environment. check her out: http://www.bayangbarrios.com/bayang/bayang.htm
Peace, all.
Vic
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