Just Passing Thru: February 2013

4th Goldilocks Cake Expo 2013

The 4th Goldilocks Cake Expo 2013 - Let Your Imagination Fly

8:19 PM

The Effects of Music on Children

3:51 PM

Music is said to play a big role in child development. The effect of music in a child may vary depending on what type of music they are listening to. While music generally provides positive effects, specific elements in a song may result to the opposite.

Benefits of Music in Children

There must be a reason why pregnant women are highly encouraged to expose the babies who are still in their wombs to music. Music such as the "Mozart Symphonies" is said to have a positive effect on child development. The type of music that provides benefit to children is believed to be that which is not so highly charged with emotion and rhythm.

Child psychologists have identified specific benefits of music to children in their developmental stages. These would include intelligence enhancement, better motor development and coordination, added emotional awareness, stress reduction, social skills development,and creativity enhancement. Scientific studies tend to support the idea that music is highly instrumental (pun not intended) in gaining quality and positive experiences for children.

Children who pursue musical education are given a distinct advantage over other children who do not. A musical performance allows children to conquer their fears and confidence to set in. Music is one of the highest forms of human expression.

Harmful Effects of Music in Children

Music generally promotes positive effects on children. However, there are specific elements in a song that can promote negative thoughts and feelings especially among adolescents who have more freedom to choose the music they will listen to compared to toddlers. Lyrics that contain profanity, and encouragement of violence and anti-social behavior may be too strong for developing and impressionable minds. Even the fierce beat of the music that comes with explicit sexual language or call for suicide, can create such an atmosphere that can serve as a call to action.

Psychologists are particularly mindful of the common practice of adolescents of listening to music via their earphones. Parents are usually not aware of the type of music their children are listening to especially if they don't hear them. It also creates an "enclosed world" for young minds who may not yet be emotionally and psychologically adept to rise above the influence.

The Challenge

Parents of today are given the challenge to prepare their children with the onslaught of negative materials provided in different forms of media. Prepare, not shield, because exposure to such materials cannot be totally avoided. Parents will not always be present to censor such materials thus it would be more appropriate to prepare children in anticipation of the high possibility that they will encounter these materials specifically outside the home.

Children must be taught how to rise above the obvious messages of self-degradation and sexual stereotyping. Young and impressionable minds will have to be guided to determine what needs to be filtered out in a song. The main challenge is doing this without necessarily "interfering" with a child's healthy development in having access to choices.

My Say

I recently got the shock of my life when I listened closely to a popular "pop" song which my youngest daughter has fancied liking. Her liking the song is not surprising given the very catchy beat and tempo which the young generation easily appreciate. However, she was mouthing the words which contained specific "adult language" with innocence very much like the way she does with nursery rhymes and children's songs.

In short, she was singing it because it was very popular even among her friends, classmates , and I guess all the other young girls of this generation. She considered the offensive words as simply part of a song lyrics and was not aware of their meaning. At a young age of 8, she was also asking me about suggestive movements done by performers on their music videos. She knew by instinct that something was "bad to see" the moment my husband or I will direct them to change the channel at once. The difficult part is explaining why something is "bad" when a song is packaged like a wholesome dance-able tune.

That said, it would appear that parental guidance is needed as well in music. In as much as parents cannot be around all the time, children will have to be taught to cope with and understand the current challenges faced by a growing child in relation to the music they listen to. Music has been a source of joy for generations not only among children but in adults as well. It has to be noted however, that there are varying effects of music in children, depending on what they are listening to.

Photo: Special thanks to Kleng Santos for allowing me to use this picture of her son, Kaeo.

home and living

Waterless Car Wash - The Spray n' Go Product Review

7:59 AM

Car wash products and services are very much in demand in the market with so many cars owned by individuals and businesses here in the Philippines. There is the traditional style and type of car wash and then there is Spray n' Go. The latter presents a new car wash option via the Waterless Car Wash.

The Traditional Car Wash

Car owners bring their cars to a car wash shop where it will be washed with soap and water. These shops typically use pressure washers while the car is being scrubbed manually. A more recent innovation is the mobile car wash which carry plastic water tanks and pressure washers to perform the cleaning at the customer's home or office. The method of cleaning is essentially the same as the traditional style except for the extra service of going to the customer. Some mobile car washes also perform detailing work when required.

The Waterless Car Wash

Waterless car wash is also sometimes referred to as chemical car wash which may be a misnomer for brands that use purely organic substances. Eco-friendly formulations are used to wash and polish the car surface. This is seen as a green living option because of the various concerns attached to traditional car wash including the amount of water and energy resources used, the contamination of surface waters, and the contamination of soil and groundwater. Contamination may occur when the car wash rinse finds its way to storm drains which will eventually lead to rivers and lakes. This is especially true in driveway washing and parking lot style washing. Professional car washes are required to have interceptor drains to capture contaminants before the wash residue enters the sanitary system.

Spray n' Go Waterless Car Wash

Using the Spray n' Go Waterless Car Wash system is very easy.

A set which costs P 1,500.00 would include the following:

1. Waterless Car Wash and Quick Detailer

2. Waterless Rim and Tire Cleaner

3. Waterless Glass Cleaner

4. One piece microfiber towel

Steps in Using Spray n' Go:

1. Pre-clean - dust, loose dirt and other contaminants on the car panel are removed by using a

feather duster

2. Spray - apply Spray n' Go with an even mist one section at a time while allowing it to settle to

lubricate and lift stubborn dirt

3. Wipe - wipe the surface with a microfiber towel in one direction to remove dirt

4. Buff - using the dry side of the microfiber towel, buff the surface in a circular motion

Offered Advantages:

1. No water pollution

2. No excess water usage

3. 100% environment-friendly, affordable, rain-repellant

4. Contains cationic surfactants which are not harmful like detergents

5. Scrubs, seals, and shields at the same time

Cost of offered car wash service : P 250.00

Target customers: Class A, B, and C, specifically those living in residential units that do not allow traditional car wash such as condominiums, commercial buildings, and other enclosed areas.

Spray n' Go is a family owned business. Its products are locally made. It guarantees that only organic substances were used in the manufacture of these products.

My Say

When Spray n' Go contacted me to offer their free demo service, I was at first reluctant to accept since I wasn't sure how they can make my 12-year old car look impressively clean. Since they were requesting for an honest product review, I decided to accept and see what their products can offer for my car. It was a fortunate coincidence that at the time they were demonstrating their service and product, one of my neighbors was having her car cleaned by a traditional mobile car wash. It gave me a chance to see the difference for myself.

A traditional home car wash would use from 80 up to 140 gallons of water depending on the size of the car. The Spray n' Go system is designed to be waterless. The wash residue of the traditional car wash found its way to the village drains while Spray n' Go didn't have such concern. The traditional car wash costs less than a Spray n' Go service. Waxing was done after the traditional car wash while the Spray n' Go system accomplished that in one sweep. Cleaning the car using Spray n' Go can be done by the owner with no equipment needed while a traditional car wash needs a pressure washer unless he or she is willing to settle for a garden hose which is not the same.

That said, I think that Spray n' Go has rightfully identified their market although there might be some difficulty penetrating the C Market. Car owners of lower economic levels may not be able to appreciate the product and service primarily because of the cost. The product is perfect for people who have the time to clean their car by themselves or those who have someone else to clean for them. The service is suitable for people who have the car but neither the time nor personnel to clean for them.

The fact that it seeks to address concerns about water and environmental contamination is quite commendable. It has been 6 days since their demo car wash and I must say my beloved trustworthy car still looks proud and clean.

Products and car wash service have been given for free in exchange for a product review. All views and opinions belong to the author.

AMBOS MUNDOS RESTAURANT

AMBOS MUNDOS RESTAURANT and My Persisting Heartache

12:49 AM

I was set out to write my Valentine's Day post this morning and was trying to find some inspiration scrolling down my Facebook wall when my attention was caught by something. It was a picture of a black boar tied in front of an establishment with a question pertaining to the oldest restaurant in the Philippines. Without even looking at the title found on the accompanying link, I knew this has something to do with Ambos Mundos Restaurant.

The feeling came automatically. It was a dull ache that came from the depths of my heart brought about by the years of denied justice and of seeing antagonists enjoying the upper hand for so many years now. The issue of Ambos Mundos Restaurant remains a persisting heartache to me.

Not many people can understand how a business name can have such an effect on me. I will not even try to make everybody understand because that is simply impossible. A person needs to be "in" the situation or at least have experienced a similar situation in life to truly understand.

The article I saw contained the usual misinformation that many food bloggers have written about before most probably because of the information fed to them by the false claimants. It was evident however that the writer was not in the know of the truth since it tried to give an objective review of her experience with the restaurant calling itself "Ambos Mundos". I decided to set the record straight by leaving my comment on the article including the name of this blog so she can refer to my articles.

It was very good thing that the writer readily provided an addendum to her article to correct the wrong information contained in it. It is a tribute to her credibility as a writer to present the other side of the story. Her quick action calmed me knowing that there are people who are willing to air the "other truth".

My Say

Although it is not in my place to demand that food bloggers do not feature that restaurant representing itself as "Ambos Mundos", I would like to make an appeal for the exercise of prudent judgment in promoting an establishment that willfully encroaches on the rights of others. With minimal online research, writers are bound to come across my blog when searching for Ambos Mundos Restaurant.

I do not expect everyone to know the true story but it will be here for anyone who wishes to understand. The articles featured in this blog about Ambos Mundos Restaurant contain verifiable links to government agencies that have handled our case and they are open to scrutiny by interested parties. They are public documents uploaded online by said agencies.

That said, I know there is only one cure for this kind of persisting heartache and that is immediate justice.

Image: lifebridgeblog