John Robert Powers’ summer programs

For many, the arrival of the scorching summer heat signifies the chance to let down their hair and frolic in the outskirts of the urban jungle that is Metro Manila in order to catch some well-deserved rest. For the truly driven, however, summer stands for the chance to pursue further personality enhancement and development. In truth, summer and its relatively slow pace could actually be a balance of both. Fun and growth need not be strange bedfellows, after all. Which is where John Robert Powers (JRP) comes in.

"John Robert Powers offers the chance for personal growth in a festive yet serious atmosphere. I’d like to think of our school as a personality spa. Everyone enjoys a trip to the spa as it refreshes and rejuvenates your body and soul. At John Robert Powers, we kind of do the same thing for the personalities of our students. You’ll have fun while learning to enhance yourself as a productive member of society," states Marivic Padilla-Catala, international director of the internationally known personality development school.

The mission of John Robert Powers is to help individuals of all ages achieve their maximum potential through confidence building, communication proficiency and image enhancement. As such, the curriculum encompasses a plethora of subjects — all geared towards bringing out confident, well-balanced, socially productive individuals.

"John Robert Powers offers personality development courses for practically all age groups. Basically, all of our students, regardless of age groups, take the same subjects — however, the content changes as necessary. For example, in the area of Social Graces, kids and pre-teens are taught proper everyday manners; teens receive additional info on dating and proms; young adults take up interview skills; and executives are taught work ethics and the like," explains Tess Carlos Aviñante, JRP’s curriculum director.

Practically everything under the sun that involves personality enhancement can be taken at JRP — as a single module or as an entire program. One can learn everything from image projection to interpersonal and interactive elements to communication skills. The curriculum includes a dizzying assortment of specifics on every level. One can learn everything — from visual poise to wardrobe etiquette to achieving the proper look to developing positive habits for both mind and body. With such an extensive program, it comes as no surprise that John Robert Powers has had a tremendous success rate — as many of its students prove time and again.

Who can avail of the programs? As we stated earlier, practically everyone. There are programs for children aged eight and below, pre-teens aged nine to 12, teens from 13 to 16, young adults from 17 to 21 years old and even executives 22 and above. When the STAR visited the JRP facility at the fourth floor of the Casmer Building along Salcedo Street in Makati, in fact, there was a classroom full of managers from a popular restaurant chain taking an advanced communication skills program together.

And how much time can one expect to devote if one avails of the programs? The most basic program consists of 10 sessions of two hours each while the most extensive one, which entitles one to a lifetime membership and access to practically all sessions at any time, consists of 100 hours of 50 sessions of two hours each (a total of 200 hours). Of course, considering their clientele and the busy schedules that these people have, JRP is flexible in adjusting to personal timetables. Yup, fun and growth can indeed work hand in hand.

With their "early bird" promo, John Robert Powers’ summer programs are actually available at a discounted rate until March 31. Interested parties may call 892-9511, log on to the John Robert Powers website, www.johnrobert-powers.com or visit the John Robert Powers office at the fourth floor of the Casmer Building at 195 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati.