Progress Pre-School GOLD’s Multiple Intelligence Recognition Day

2 Weeks ago, I received an invitation to be part of Progress Pre-School GOLD’s Multiple Intelligence Recognition Day. The date falls on a Thursday, our no car day, and is also the day after McKenzie's recognition day in school which I expected would end late because we had to meet my family for dinner after the school recognition program.

But I wanted to go. I've always been a believer of Multiple Intelligence. When we were studying the different education philosophies in college, Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence is one school of thought that caught my interest.

When we had McKenzie, Multiple Intelligence has been our guiding philosophy since Day 1. Even before school, we've been giving her books, toys, and experiences that would help her become SMART- Brain Smart, People Smart and Body Smart.


My supportive husband told me we can go. We can take public transport with McKenzie- it would be a first for her- a new experience. It was raining when we woke up but it eventually stopped. We were prepared to take the usual public transport from Imus to Makati- tricycle to Aguinaldo Highway, bus to Coastal Mall, another bus to Ayala EDSA then jeep to Makati CBD since the chance of getting a UV Express Van later than 9am is slim. But, we were lucky. There were still vans bound for Makati in Aguinaldo Highway and we only waited for a few minutes. We were in Makati by 12nn.

We ate lunch and stayed in the Books for Less stall while waiting for 2pm.

My husband and I have been doing our best to explore and recognize the different forms of intelligences to help children achieve the most success.

Filipino Moms graduate to a higher standard of Intelligence

We understand that success isn’t solely based on how a child performs in her math or science subjects. We have to give them the chance to recognize their own ability to be good at other things. By doing so, we can create a generation that possess multiple intelligences.

“We continue to seek ways for parents and educators to recognize that developing multiple intelligence is just as relevant as academic performance, giving kids today the chance to develop their inherent skills in a motivated and well-rounded environment,” says Rhea Villareal, Senior Product Manager, Progress Pre-School GOLD.

“Multiple intelligence can spark multiple achievements – it is the edge that this new generation will have.”

Eugene David, President and General Manager of Wyeth Nutrition Philippines talks about Wyeth's 100 years of Nourishing Pioneers

Leading with multiple intelligence

This edge is perhaps best exemplified by some of this country’s young multi-achievers who were recently recognized at Progress Pre-School GOLD’s Multiple Intelligence Recognition Day. Among them are Sofia Pablo, whose excellence in academics is complemented only by equally impressive achievements in dance and sports; Cedric Rafael Uson, whose potential for leadership and the arts are notable; Sean Clarence Cai, who consistently impresses others with his propensity for numbers and excellent interpersonal skills at such a young age; Luis Raphael Danao, whose academic achievements are rivalled only by his passion and excellence in sports; and Ciara Russegger, whose athleticism and academic inclinations prove that a seamless integration of brain, body and people smart is possible with the right support.

Kim Atienza, a multi-achiever himself shares his personal success story

Kim Atienza, multi-achiever and Commencement speaker in the Multiple Intelligence Recognition Day, also expressed that his well-rounded character has been key in achieving success in life. “Multiple Intelligence has equipped me to confidently engage with the world and readily accept challenges with family, passions, and career,” says Atienza.

Improving access to multiple intelligence

Progress Pre-school GOLD’s multiple intelligence advocacy has the opportunity to transform development approaches simply by highlighting the fact that various facets of intelligence combine to create a balanced and successful child that can potentially change the world.

Ani Almario, President of RAP, sharing her excitement for the partnership with Progress Pre-school GOLD in pushing for progressive education

As a means to further promote multiple intelligence, Wyeth is partnering with the Reading Association of the Philippines (RAP), a non-government organization committed to improve all aspects of the national reading programs and teaching procedures through teacher-training and research.

RAP calls educators to embrace a comprehensive curriculum to promote students' maximum participation for overall development. It educates school teachers using proven progressive methods to teach kids to learn to read and enhance comprehension — thus, facilitate a better learning environment to help students to progress into multi-achievers.

Moving up and choosing multiple intelligence

Progress Pre-school GOLD encourages Filipino moms to move up to a more progressive approach to parenting as experts prove that young minds gain knowledge through play, direct experience and social interaction.

"As a parent, my challenge is to help my kids apply their knowledge to everyday life, not just by getting good grades but by being well-rounded individuals that are smart, creative and helpful," says Jenni Epperson, Multiple Intelligence advocate.

Progress Pre-school GOLD recognizes Multiple Intelligence Advocate Moms - Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez and Jenni Epperson

Activities have become open-ended and interdisciplinary and the more kids exposed to different fields and interests, the more they are able to perform better and beyond given measures.

"With multiple intelligence, you don't just go one step ahead, you go twice as far," says Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez, Multiple Intelligence advocate.

Progressive moms have a partner in Progress Pre-School GOLD as they further support the development of their child’s multiple intelligence. Progress Pre-School GOLD is now with its best-ever GOLD Biofactors System with higher levels of DHA, Choline and Lutein to support a child’s multiple intelligence.

Young Filipino Multi-Achievers are recognized for being brain smart, body smart and people smart

McKenzie was so interested with the Multi-Achiever Kids. She asked me to explain to her how and why those kids were awarded the medals.

Sofia Pablo

Brain Smart: Best in Math and Science
Body Smart: Active in swimming, ballet, volleyball, and cheer dancing. Won Best in Freestyle Swimming in 2013
People Smart: Star Scout Team Leader
In the Future: Sofia wants to become a teacher to help drive the development of this country’s citizens.

Cedric Rafael Uson

Brain Smart: Best in Literary Recital in 2012
Body Smart: Taekwondo Gold Medalist for the Titans Kumsaegui Taekwondo Championship
People Smart: Red Cross Member
In the Future: Cedric plans to help drive the development of the country forward by being an engineer

Sean Clarence Cai

Brain Smart: Consistent Honor Student
Body Smart: Taekwondo Champion
People Smart: Class President
In the Future: Sean wants to contribute to society by being a lawyer.

Luis Raphael Danao

Brain Smart: Consistent Top 3 Student
Body Smart: Basketball Varsity Bronze Medalist
People Smart: Student Council Officer
In the Future: Luis wants to be either an architect or a professional basketball player.

Ciara Russegger

Brain Smart: Spelling Bee Champ
Body Smart: Soccer Juniors League Player
People Smart: Animal Rights Advocate
In the Future: Ciara wants to be a psychologist in order to understand human emotions and the reasoning behind these emotions and actions.



We also received our own Achiever Kits. The Achievers’ Kit aims to encourage parents to reward the different achievements of their child. The rewards are focused on three main categories, namely: Brain Smart, Body Smart, and People Smart. This promotes recognition of not only intellectual intelligence, but also physical as well as social intelligence. This holistic development acknowledges more opportunities among this generation’s children to drive advancement for this country.

It is composed of 4 parts: a lanyard, a medal casing, 3 discs (Brain, Body and People Smarts), and 30 blank stickers. We can write our child’s achievements on the stickers, place the stickers on the discs, and insert the discs on the plastic medal casing which can house one disc at a time.  This can be worn by our child to recognize his or her many achievements in different fields.

We are happy with how she developed over the course of 10 months that has passed. She received awards during their recognition day (Excellence in Language, Excellence in Reading and Academic Excellence).  McKenzie did really well in K1 and I will make her a Brain Smart Medal soon.
She started ballet last October 2014 and will have a more intensive workshop this summer. I will prepare the Body Smart medal and give it to her on their recital this May.

She is definitely people smart. From the timid little girl who completed Nursery about the same time last year, she is now a cheerful little girl who is able to blend in any age playgroup.