Author: mmp_admin

Nov 15

Timeless Significance of The Magi’s Gifts

As Christmas approaches, it’s the time of the year, the old familiar story of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The journey of Mary and Joseph, the humble and miraculous birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the greatest gift the world has ever known, the angelic announcement of His birth to the shepherds, the journey of the Wise Men—who traveled from afar to worship the newborn King and offer their gifts—remains a powerful reminder of the profound meaning behind Christmas. All of these are familiar and yet resounding even after two thousand years.

The Magi brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While these offerings may seem unusual to us today, each one held deep spiritual significance, both for the life of Jesus and for us as believers

Gold, the first gift, is universally associated with wealth and royalty, of kingship and authority.  By presenting gold, the Magi were acknowledging Jesus as the King of Kings, the long-awaited Messiah who would lead and guide His people. The gift of gold reminds us during this season that Christ’s kingship is one of service and salvation, and that true leadership comes from a heart willing to serve others.

Frankincense, the second gift, symbolizes divinity and worship. In the quiet moments of this Christmas season, frankincense encourages us to reflect on the divine presence in our lives and the miracle of God becoming human to walk beside us. Let us take time to worship Him, to lift up our hearts in gratitude and reverence for the wonder of God’s love made flesh.

Myrrh, the final gift, foreshadows the sacrifice that Jesus would one day make. Myrrh symbolizes suffering and death, but it also speaks to the hope of resurrection and eternal life. During this season of joy and celebration, myrrh calls us to remember the deeper purpose of Christ’s coming—to offer His life as a ransom for many and to bring salvation to all who believe.

As we celebrate Christmas, the gifts of the Magi serve as a reminder that the birth of Jesus is not just a story of a child born in a manger, but a powerful event filled with divine meaning. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh invite us to reflect on who Jesus is—our King, our God, and our Savior. These gifts also encourage us to give our best to others, whether in material offerings or acts of kindness and love, following the example of the Wise Men who brought their treasures to the feet of the newborn King.

Mission Ministries Philippines has long worked to instill in its preschoolers the true meaning of Christmas: that Jesus is the reason for this and every season.   We worship Him by using the talents and skills He has given us. This year, MMP will once again hold its annual Show of Talents and Kids Bazaar on November 29, 2024, at JFD Stadium, San Mateo, Rizal. Children from our partner schools will present their talents as gifts to Jesus. Just as the Magi brought offerings, MMP will share gifts, refreshments, and magical entertainment—all while spreading the gospel. As Christmas is a time of fellowship as one body believing in Christ, MMP will hold Partners Christmas Party on December 7, 2024 at Marikina Heights, Marikina City. Spreading love, joy and care for our fellow workers for Christ. 

Aug 02

Enhancing Classroom Excellence – MMP Partners’ Practical Training

On July 11-12, 2024, a practical training session was held at Roots and Wings Learning Center in Marikina City, bringing together 38 teachers from various partner schools. This training aimed to enhance the skills and competencies of educators in alignment with this year’s theme, “Gurong Handa, Masayang Bata”; The theme underscores the significance of teacher readiness in fostering a joyful and effective learning environment for young students. The participating teachers engaged in a series of workshops and activities designed to equip them with practical teaching strategies and innovative educational tools, ensuring they are well-prepared to create a positive impact in their classrooms. The training also fosters relationships among the participants and the facilitators.

The training session was spearheaded by Dr. Chonabelle M. Domingo, whose unwavering passion for delivering quality education to underprivileged communities shone through in her lecture. Her enthusiasm and dedication were evident, and her presence greatly enhanced the confidence and knowledge of all attendees.

Dr. Domingo’s insights were both inspiring and enlightening, providing a solid foundation for the training. Her commitment to educational equity resonated deeply with everyone present, setting the tone for a meaningful and impactful event.

Supporting Dr. Domingo were the supervisors of MMP: Teacher Jezzelyn Amido, Maricel Minion, and Claire Santillan. These practicing teachers, who embody the philosophy of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), shared their rich experiences and practical methods with the participants. Their firsthand accounts and effective teaching strategies provided valuable, real-world insights that participants could readily apply in their own educational contexts.

Additionally, Teacher Erlyn B. Isidro played as an overall coordinator of the event. The cooperation of everyone involved were instrumental in creating an environment where learning and collaboration could thrive.

Together, this team of dedicated educators created a dynamic and enriching training experience that left a lasting impact on all who attended. The combined expertise and passion of Dr. Domingo, Teacher Jezzelyn Amido, Maricel Minion, Claire Santillan, and Teacher Erlyn B. Isidro made the event a resounding success, furthering the goal of providing quality education to those who need it most.

Dec 04

Celebrating Talents and Entrepreneurship: A Heartwarming Event in Honor of Jesus’s Birthday

Show of Talents and Kidprenuer Fair
by Erlyn B. Isidro

In the spirit of giving and celebration this Christmas season, Mission Ministries Philippines hosted its 20th Show of Talents and Kidpreneur Fair last December 1, 2023 at JFD stadium in San Mateo Rizal. The event was a remarkable gathering where students from 12 partner schools of MMP came together to share their unique gifts in honor of Jesus’s birthday.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the fair was the children’s entrepreneurial skills. The Kidprenuers set up stalls to sell their handmade creations and products. From handmade jewelry, eco-friendly crafts and delicious sweets, even selling of native products from Ifugao, Mountain Province as one of the partners came all the way from the Northen part of Luzon.

Adding to the event is the wonderful performance of the talented magician who captivated both the parents and children, adding an additional element of wonder and excitement.
Moreover, MMP invited Pastor Vergilio Lapena, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of MMP and now one of its International Adviser, to impart the true meaning Christmas and that is the love of our heavenly Father. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to save us. This is the main objective of the event to spread the Gospel to Jesus.

A beautiful smile of one of the partner schools after their performance.

Dr. Philip Paleracio, a Filipino Doctor in U.S. and friend of one of the International Advisers of MMP also graced the event and gave an inspiring message to all present.

The “Show of Talents and Kidpreneur Fair” was a resounding success, not only in terms of talents rendered and products sold, but also in fostering a sense of community, encouragement among the partner schools, the parents and the students. And as we reflect on this joyous occasion, let us remember the that Jesus Christ is God’s greatest gift to us.

Oct 14

“Get Ready to Soar: MMP Welcomes the Exciting School Year 2023-2024!”

With the theme “Bridging the Gap from the Online Platform to Face-to-Face in Early Childhood Education,” Mission Ministries Philippines welcomes the school year 2023–2024 by hosting its annual Early Childhood Education seminars on August 10–12, 2023, for teachers, and on August 17–19, 2023, for administrators. As we advance into the post-pandemic season, MMP stays true to its calling by educating administrators and teachers on issues that are current with the times. The speakers for the aforementioned seminars provided their expertise not just in terms of theory but also on a practical level that the attendees could relate to using examples from their own experiences. This created a vibrant discussion as the attendees expressed their ideas and insights.

With the start of the academic year, four new schools adhere to God’s calling and partner with Mission Ministries Philippines. MMP welcomes the new partners, namely: Elyon Child Development Centre, headed by Ms. Mena G. Rivera, from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; and Racham Wilbeth School Inc., headed by Ms. Micciella Ma. Keina Jane L. Pabalate from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Thrivers Learning Center, headed by Pastor Robin Abano, from Dasmarinas Cavite, and Grace Christian School of Life, headed by Pastor Nimrod J. Embalzado, from Trece Martires, Cavite. Dr. Chonabelle M. Domingo, President and CEO of MMP, salutes these new schools as well as its renewal partners for their steadfast support over the years. Their continuous partnership and patronage of the books of MMP greatly help in accomplishing its mandate.

The Training Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education, another program of MMP in collaboration with Asian Theological Seminary, starts its new batch this September with 12 new students in the Child and Development module. The success of the previous batch in the online modality prompted the management to continue offering it online. This extends beyond borders and broadens the impact of early childhood education from the perspective of God’s word. As the Lord expands the tents of MMP, so does the growing number of speakers. MMP invites additional professors in the ECE modules to give quality education to our educators. This training certificate is PRC accredited and has six units credit approved by the Commission on Higher Education. Enrollment is still ongoing. For inquiries, you may email ecemodule.mmp@gmail.com or contact Ms. Erlyn Isidro at 09301434780.

MMP intends to resume in-person seminars, starting with this October 28, 2023, refresher course entitled Raising the Child’s Higher Order Thinking Skills. Learning is more than repeating a list of facts, answering yes or no, memorization, but making sense of information, comparing, analyzing, making inferences—in short, adapting a higher thinking skill. Learning to think critically is a life skill. This seminar will be at Proclaim His Name Christian Fellowship #8 Scout Madrinan corner Scout Tobias Sts. South Triangle, Quezon City. For registration, you may visit MMP’s Facebook page, MMPece.

Watch out for these upcoming activities: Show of Talent with Kids Bazaar, Christmas Party, Teachers’ Camp, Quiz Bee, and more.

May 02

Reading to Learn

Mary Mcleod Bethune once remarked, “The whole world opened to me when I learned to read,” And it is indeed true. Reading is an effective way to discover what the world has to offer. With this in mind, Mission Ministries Philippines (MMP) and Action for the Care & Development of the Poor in the Philippines, Inc. (ACAP) joined forces again in training their childcare volunteers to teach how to read.

The seminar was held last March 30, 2023, at the ACAP office in Paranaque. It was attended by 30 of its volunteers.

The speakers, Dr. Chonabelle Domingo, President and CEO of MMP, and Ms. Erlyn B. Isidro, facilitated this whole-day event.

Apart from the importance of reading, the process of reading, stages of writing, and lesson planning, the speakers also tackled the Marungko approach, a technology MMP has adopted to teach children how to read in Filipino. Based on MMP’s experience, children can read in just one month by using this approach through its book BIP BIP or Bilis sa Pagbasa ng Batang Isip-Pinoy.

A workshop was also done for the application of what they learned. The volunteers were able to develop stories and activities that they could use.

Dec 03

Brigada Pagbasa: M Lhulier and Mission Ministries Philippines- A Joined Project

November 26, 2021, marked a significant event where  MLhuillier, one of the  largest and most reputable non-bank financial institutions that provide immediate monetary needs in the Philippines and Mission Ministries Philippines – a Christian  NGO  that sets up developmentally appropriate practices in Preschool designed for the indigent joined forces in response to the call of the Department of Education to address the reading Problem of Filipino Children through a program called “Brigada Pagbasa: Reading Remediation Training.

This project aligns with the Millennium Development Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education, Education For All (EFA) Goal On Improving the Quality of Education And Every Child A Reader Program (ECARP), through Department of Education Division memorandum  No. 93 series 2013, ”Launching the Arrest the frustration Readers Program ( AFRP) in Grades 1,2,3. “Arrest the Frustration Readers Program in Grades 1, 2, and 3 as a reading program initiative.

Teacher Erlyn Isidro from MMP facilitated a 3 hours training session with more than 60 teachers from Camarin Elementary School in Caloocan City.  She discussed the Reading Strategy formally endorsed by the Department of Education using the Marungko Approach. An approach used in MMP’s book – Bipbip (Bilis sa Pagbasa ng Batang Isip-Pinoy), tested on its technology on teaching Reading for a minimum of 1 month. The authors and consultants are from the University of the Philippines. 

Dec 01

3rd Refresher Course – “Child Discipline in an Online and Face to Face Platform”

One of the many difficulties parents and teachers are encountering nowadays is disciplining the children.  The new normal of teaching made it more challenging for teachers to correct the behaviors of their students. To address this issue, Mission Ministries Philippines had its 3rd refresher course entitled “Child Discipline in an Online and Face to Face Platform” last October 9, 2021, facilitated by Prof. Claribel “Bing” Amihan.

Teacher Bing explained the importance of developing self-discipline in the child by explaining the rules and the benefits of following the rules. The child will be motivated to do what is right no matter how difficult and challenging it is.

The topic was divided into 4 subtopics: a) Definition of terms, b) Characteristics of Children c) Goals of Discipline d) Discipline guidelines e) Take care of the self. Teacher Bing had not only discussed the main topic about discipline but broadened it by explaining on understanding the child and the environment he or she may be in. Adding to the child’s development and how gadgets and the internet have been affecting the child.

The webinar was attended by 100 participants. And due to public request, another date was set last November 27, 2021, to cater to other participants who were not able to attend the first webinar. This was the first time MMP’s webinars had a repeat.

Nov 08

Raising Next Generation of Transformational Leaders – A Fundraising Campaign

In a call to continue the mission of raising children who will be the next generation of transformational leaders, Mission Ministries Philippines launched its first fundraising campaign via zoom last November 6, 2021. Friends and supporters of MMP from different parts of the world joined the said meeting.

Dr. Natalie Chan, Director of the Bethel Bible Seminary in Hong Kong gave a heartfelt message on how MMP’s mission has a great impact on her. She believes in what MMP has been doing for the last 37 years of its existence. 

The meeting also launched the MMPro Kidz Society to further the mission of reaching out to the marginalized children in our society. The project’s aim is to create a transformative change for the children and families. MMP calls for support and being an MMP Champion. The donations can make a big difference to the future generation.

The pandemic has affected MMP’s finances, hitting a deficit of $23,000.00 for the year 2021. This was the first time MMP conducted a fundraising campaign to ask its friends and supporters for help. By God’s grace, many have responded positively. In the latest report, MMP was able to raise the said amount. In addition, others are committing to be part of the MMP Pro Kids Society. In a way, fundraising campaigns is to empower the donors in giving and be a channel of blessings to others. They are called by God to be part of our journey to God’s missions.

Oct 12

ACAP – MMP SEMINAR

Mission Ministries Philippines (MMP) and Action for the Care and Development of the Poor in the Philippines (ACAP) joined the venture with a 5-day online seminar held last September 16, 23, 24, 30 and, October 1.

The seminar aims to equip their parent-volunteers in their tutorial projects with the underprivileged children in the communities of Paranaque.

Topics were designed to prepare the volunteers for their mission. In the seminar Ms. Chonabelle Domingo, CEO/President of MMP tackled the Importance of Parenting Education and the Philosophy of Early Childhood Education.  Involvement of parents The in their child’s education is vital with the child’s success.  Ms. Domingo stressed that parents should anchor their strength to God as He is the source of everything and He designed each child with a purpose.  She also discussed the nature of children and how each child develops.

Other topics were Love Languages of Children, Child Discipline, Teaching through Play facilitated by Ms. Aida Acorda, and Reading using the Marungko Approach shared by Ms. Erlyn Isidro.

ACAP is a non-profit organization that aims to empower marginalized youth through a combination of education, social development,  health, and nutritional feeding programs.  ACAP Executive Director Ms. Didith van der Linden and Ms. Maria Baylon, the Programs Director made this partnership possible.

Oct 12

Building Bridges to the New Normal in Early Childhood Education (ECE 1 and 2 Seminars)

At the beginning of the school year 2021-2022 in education, Mission Ministries Philippines headed the training for partner schools and guest participants engaged in early childhood education with its seminars in Early Childhood Education level 1 and 2  last August 12 –14 and 18-20. This year’s theme is Building Bridges to the New Normal in Early Childhood Education.

The seminar aims to help teachers and parents to address the stresses and other related effects to the children brought by the pandemic. 

Topics were all designed to help teachers navigate the new system in teaching preschoolers and even their parents with the new normal.

Speakers who are experts in their field shared their knowledge that even in online classes, the Developmentally Appropriate Practices ( DAP ) can still be done. As long as we can embrace the principles of DAP, technology can be an effective tool for teaching children. The main idea is to know how the development and learning of each child. It can help in assessing the progress and the ways teachers can help the children learn.

Another matter was maximizing the role of parents. Studies showed a positive correlation between parent involvement and student success. Moreover, in an online class, both parents and teachers share the load in teaching the child. 

Times have changed a lot in just almost two years of this pandemic.  Homeschooling is now the main option in terms of education. The use of technology increased phenomenally and brought another problem in Screen time and technology addiction. How much is too much time on screen time?

The Level 2 seminar also addressed the challenges to the administrators and school principals.