Celebrating life’s special gifts

MANILA, Philippines - Today’s children are tomorrow’s hope of the nation.

Recently, San Miguel Pure Foods Corp. (SMPFC), led by its president Francisco Alejo III, launched “MI Galing!” Mayroon Ako Niyan,” an advocacy on Multiple Intelligences, with Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano at the Department of Education’s Bulwagan ng Karunungan.

“We believe that everyone has his own smarts. Everyone is blessed with multiple intelligences. SMPFC wants to play an active role in helping discover, explore and develop these intelligences in our everyday activities,” said Alden Castañeda, vice president for corporate innovations group.

According to Harvard University professor Howard Gardner, there are now nine multiple intelligences that can be developed continuously in an individual. These are logic or mathematical, linguistic or word, naturalist, kinesthetic or body, rhythmic or music, spatial or visual, interpersonal or people, intrapersonal or self and cosmic.

MI Galing! advocacy program focuses on children as well as their learning through their teachers, who help mold and nurture them intellectually, emotionally and physically.

The Department of Education together with Marylindbert International developed a series of teaching and learning materials like workbooks to make learning process more fun.

“We are extremely happy to partner with SMPFC. This partnership sees to fruition the vision the DepEd has on the development of every child’s multiple intelligences,” Luistro said.

SMPFC also crafted a livelihood program for the school canteen, sharing the company’s extensive knowledge of kitchen hygiene practices, best recipes and food that is nutrient-enriched, delicious and safe.

(The MI Galing! advocacy is in 127 schools nationwide with support from Tender Juicy Hotdogs, Purefoods Fun Nuggets, Magnolia Pancake Plus, Magnolia Chocolait, Star Margarine and Magnolia Cheezee.)