Abot Tala’s Summer Schedule is Out!
Two weeks ago we released a menu of classes available for our first ever Summer Mentoring Program for Teens. Interested teens were asked to choose the classes they’d like to attend. No maximum or minimum number of classes — just choose what you’d want to see in the final schedule.
So we’re happy to present it now.
Abot Tala is a Self-Directed Learning Center for Teens ages 12-18. It’s an alternative to mainstream high school. Our summer program was created for teens who are looking for a program to be part of this summer and it’s also for those who want to try Abot Tala’s Self-Directed Learning model for two months (to see if this is the right fit for your family the whole year round).
Our summer program runs from April 1 to May 30, 2019, Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm at our temporary space, 2/F Commune Cafe (Polaris St, Poblacion, Makati). Don’t worry, they don’t have to be with us from 9-3 from Mondays-Thursdays. Their schedule is flexible and they have the freedom to decide what time to come in and what time they want to leave. They don’t even have to be with us everyday (unless that’s what they want, right?) However, they have to show up for the classes and meetings they sign-up for and commit to. We think it’s a good balance between teaching responsibility while still allowing them the freedom to manage their time and design their learning path.
Not on the schedule is a special time management & productivity workshop by motivational speaker, influencer, and our guest mentor, Nate Punzalan. That’s happening on April 1 after the teens’ orientation. Since we are giving our members the freedom to create their own schedule, we felt it would be best to give them the tools to help them strategically plan their summer schedule. We will then spend the rest of that day getting to know the other guest mentors who will be popping in and out to give previews of their classes, to help the members decide what they truly want to sign up for. Of course, we will also have fun activities to help us get to know each other.
As an introductory offer, the program fee is P20,000 for those who submit their registration on or before March 27. After which, the regular rate will be P24,000. Deadline for payment is April 4. Should you choose to pay after April 4, the regular rate applies even if you registered before March 27. You may also pay the fee in two installments. Payments are due every first Thursday of the month (April 4 & May 2). The fee covers the two months of April and May and includes regular one-on-one mentoring and coaching, access to all classes, workshops and tutorials, access to a network of mentors, professionals and experts in various fields, personalized and collaborative learning, family meetings and use of the space for doing projects, studying and socializing. Field trips may be scheduled within the two months and that will entail additional cost.
To register, please click here.
Once we receive your registration form, we will send you the payment details. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send an email to abottala.ph@gmail.com or call/send a message to 0915.2864494.
For more information about Abot Tala, please visit www.abottala.com.
More information about the classes
Don’t Panic by Dr. Kathleen Ann Modina-Angue
Classes will teach students how to recognize, anticipate and treat medical emergencies as well as common illnesses. Students will learn how to provide timely First Aid. They will also be empowered how to handle medical inquiries, be confident in interacting with doctors and in hospitals.
Don’t Die by Dr. Kathleen Ann Modina-Angue
These classes will provide students skills in Basic Life Support (BLS), based on American Heart Association guidelines. After this course students will be effective providers of adult and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Clinical ‘i’: Real Advice in the Age of Fake Information.
Dr. Kay Modina and Marthy Angue will discuss how to sift between useful and false scientific information in media. Does this drug really work? How do I know if this study is really true? Does Lemon water fix everything? Should I believe everything on the internet? These questions will be addressed head on in this class.
The Birds, Bees, and Honey Badgers by Dr. Kathleen Ann Modina-Angue
Dr. Modina will be teaching about the male and female reproductive system and how they change during puberty. Teens will learn how to recognize and anticipate these changes, and how to handle them without fear or embarassment. Girls especially will learn how to track and predict their ovulation and menstrual cycles. Sexual maturity and intercourse, consent, and contraception will also be tackled.
Decoding Happiness by Daniela Gonzalez
Class aimed at unpacking happiness in order to understand what science shows are its “active ingredients” (practical actions one can take) and why they make a difference. The goal is to teach teens a variety of strategies they may choose from and use at different times in order to lead a happier life, and thus contribute to creating a happier world.
Self-Esteem 101 by Daniela Gonzalez
Introductory class aimed at helping teens explore, understand, and value their authentic and unique selves and to teach them skills that will enable them to mature and move down their own paths with confidence, integrity and peace.
Styling Your Way Through the Teen Years by Telay Robles
A class on having fun with fashion & make-up without breaking the budget. Learn to play around with different styles while learning what’s apt for every life event. Oh, and you’ll learn how to make your own accessories too!
In Pursuit of Happiness by Owie Burns dela Cruz
A class that aims to encourage teens to take note of or discover whatever makes them happy or fulfilled (to keep them going in life). There’ll be discussions about family, love, their hobbies, stuff they love to watch or do, etc. The goal is to fill up each member’s happy tank, so in tough or confusing times, hopefully they’ll remember to get inspiration from whatever makes them happy.
Tea and the Word by Owie Burns dela Cruz
A class about faith and the Bible, presented in a way that is appealing to teens. We’ll have tea (any kind they want) as we have challenging yet inspiring discussions.
Freedom Spaces by Bea Vergara
A class where teens talk about current events and issues, encouraging them to exercise their right to articulate opinions and insights on issues, as a fundamental part of being a citizen.
“50 Years from now, You’ll Thank Me for This” by Elizabeth Ong
Learn the basics of budgeting, saving, and investing. You’re never too young to start learning how to make your money grow, not so much for you to become a zillionaire before you’re 30 but for that peace of mind when you pass the age of 30, 40, 50…
Math Gym by Ericho Fuentes
Activities meant to enhance learners’ appreciation, understanding and subconscious skills in math, as well as to overcome math learning obstacles they may have.
Daily Numbers by Ericho Fuentes
Practical applications of math in business, culinary arts, actuary, measurement and science.
Fact, Fiction or Both? A Survey of Science Fiction Media and Literature by Ericho Fuentes
Film showing of selected clips from SciFi movies and shows followed by a moderated discussion. One central theme/topic will be set for each session (e.g. energy, nature, climate change, vaccination, food science, etc.).
So You Want To…..? by Elizabeth Ong
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do or create like write a graphic novel, develop an app, organize a workshop, or whatever but don’t know where the starting line is? Well, this course is for you as we simulate the real-world intricacies involved in developing and shaping your dream project with the help of mentors and practitioners. In addition, you get to hone the following skills in just one go: your presentation, public speaking, persuasive, and selling skills!
Communication & Collaboration by Owie Burns dela Cruz
This is a projects and presentation class that aims to encourage members to work within different group settings. They’ll be working on lots of out-of-the-box projects that they’ll help conceptualize based on their interests.
Film Photography 101 by Nate Punzalan
History of photography, types of cameras, types of film, how to shoot film today, principles of photography, developing your film by hand.
Film Appreciation Class (featuring movies that came out before they were probably born) by Ida Torres
This class would teach the basics of what to look out for when watching movies and how to develop critical thinking towards movies that we consume.
Reading Non-Canon / Alternative Literature by Ida Torres
A reading and literature class that explores books that are not part of the canon top 100 literary works that are taught in traditional schools.
Basic Poetry Techniques and/or Poetry Appreciation by Michellan Alagao
A primer on some poetry techniques. Students will work on activities and write their own poems (e.g. blackout poetry, found poetry).
Geeking Out, Get Paid, Go Further by Marthy Angue
Learn how geeky passions and nerdy knowledge are keys to the new global economy! In this class, we’ll be traversing the Post-Industrial landscape and explore the wide ranging implications of things like robotics, interconnectivity, artificial intelligence and the exurban movement. We’ll also be discussing how quintessential nerd skills like imagination, curiosity, resourcefulness, and a sense of good storytelling may hold the keys to tomorrow’s frontiers.
Creativity on Command by Diane Gabriel
How do you find creativity when you need it? Whether you are a designer, PR marketer, event planner, film writer, composer, or anyone who needs to deliver a big idea, here are 5 action steps on the creative process to help you discover great ideas BEFORE your deadline.
Creative Journaling for those who don’t think they’re creative by Ida Torres
Basics of journaling and benefits of developing the habit while they’re still young even if they’re not the creative type (writer, artist).
Spanish for Survival by Daniela Gonzalez
Introductory Spanish class aimed at teaching teens the essentials for survival in a Spanish-speaking country: how to find a bathroom, order food, navigate public transportation, ask for directions, establish basic conversations with strangers, etc.
Beyond Florante at Laura: Finding Yourself in Phil Literature by John Iremil Teodoro
Philippine Literature is a big and beautiful world beyond Tagalog or English writings by Filipinos. It is multilingual and multicultural. Discover your roots—whether indigenous, regional, or in diaspora—by reading contemporary writings from within or outside the Philippine archipelago.
Pop Culture Cheat Sheet by Marthy Angue
The history of art is a stupefyingly rich tapestry that covers absolutely everything if you follow the threads long enough. In this class, we freefall into how sculpture from 40,000 years ago finds echoes in Sonic the Hedgehog fan art, how Steven Universe mirrors first century writings AND the Lego Movie, and how the battle between Superman and Son Goku is deeply theological discussion. each class is a discussion on recurring themes in pop culture and how these themes arrive to us across the halls of history.
Fantastic Beasts and Why they Matter by Marthy Angue
Ever wondered why pop culture information seems to be so much easier to retain than, say, World History or Philosophy? We’re not sure either but we realized maybe there’s something useful there. Pop Culture Cheat Sheet consists of hour-long classes that use pop-culture references to explain complex topics. How are the Avengers a convenient pnemonic for understanding the rise of Facism in World War II? Which animes are set in what period in Japanese History? How would you sort the Katipuneros if they went to Hogwarts?
The One Hour Museum by Marthy Angue
If the History of the World has left us within anything, it’s the wealth of knowledge and inspiration with which the world is made and unmade each day. If the History of the World has left us with anything else, it left us with Stuff. In the One Hour Museum, we play show-and-tell with some of the world’s most iconic Stuff (or pictures of them, at least) and we try to piece together the stories that connect each of them together. Cowrie shells, massive copper plaques and Trillion-currency banknotes might open a class up to an unfamiliar history of money while the story of the Age of Revolutions could be summarized in a selection of paintings.
Visual Art Exploration by Maggie Yoingco
An inquiry into how an artist’s creative process leads to self-discovery. Students will be invited to observe and respond to works of art and appreciate artists’ unique ways of seeing the world. In the process of creating their own art using a variety of tools and materials, students will document their ideas, experiments, questions, discoveries, and reflections in the form of a journal.
Sketching & Drawing by Niño Hernandez
Learn the fundamentals of drawing using graphite or pencil rendering from basic shapes, still life, figures.
Painting by Niño Hernandez
Watercolor on paper, acrylic on paper or canvas. Whether it’s still life, landscape, figure. Learn painting from the basic to intermediate level.
Board Game class by Abraham Tan
Learning from board games and more
Uke Can Do It! by Ericho Fuentes
Ukulele jam class
The Listening Class by Rommel dela Cruz
A music appreciation class via discovering and listening to different albums and artists on Spotify. Class is facilitated by a songwriter and professional musician.
Letra at Musika by Owie Burns dela Cruz
Learning conversational Filipino through songs by famous Filipino alternative & pop bands
*The Failure School by Phil Smithson
Phil will pop in every now and then to give hour-long sessions about teaching students to become familiar with failure early on and accept it as part of the learning experience. The Failure School ensures that when they inevitably fail at some point in their life, they recover from it easily and use it to go to the next level of success.
If you’d like more information about the mentors teaching this summer, you may visit our mentors page.
If your teen is interested to join our summer program, they may choose/vote for the classes they are interested in here. In the spirit of self-directed learning, please note that the teen should fill up the form and choose the classes (not the parent).
To enroll in our summer program, please complete this form: Abot Tala Membership Application (Parent & Teen Questionnaire in one form)
Should you choose to answer the form separately, here is the link to the Parent Questionnaire and here is the the Teen Questionnaire.
If you would like to know more about this summer program, you may email us at abottala.ph@gmail.com. You may also call or text 0915.2864494. If you’d like to discuss with the team behind Abot Tala, we have several meet-ups in Taguig and Makati:
March 16, Saturday 3:30-5:30pm Commune Cafe, Polaris St., Poblacion, Makati
March 19, Tuesday 5:00-7:00pm Bo’s Coffee High Street, BGC
March 20, Wednesday 2:00-4:00pm Tim Horton’s, Glorietta 4, Makati
March 21, Thursday 6:00-8:00pm Starbucks, Pedro Cayetano Blvd, Taguig
To sign-up for any of the meet-ups, please email or text us. See you there!
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