Meet the Author: Dr. Yangky Embodies Lifelong Learning from Womb to Tomb

Meet the Author: Dr. Yangky Embodies Lifelong Learning from Womb to Tomb By: Mheryll Giffen AlfortePublished July 2, 2024 5:00 PM Dr. Estrella “Yangky” R. Agustin From the moment they enter the world amidst the blinding lights and the distinct faces of cooing parents, children begin to make out the shapes and sensations around them. This marks the beginning of a journey of discovery and growth—a lifelong process from womb to tomb. Children’s natural curiosity and desire to learn should be nurtured throughout their lives. Formal education builds upon this foundation as they grow, providing them with knowledge and experiences to equip them for their journey. However, lifelong learning transcends beyond the corners of classrooms and textbook pages. It involves a person’s ongoing pursuit of knowledge, self-improvement, and ability to adapt to evolving circumstances and ideas. One such learner and educator, Dr. Estrella R. Agustin, affectionately known as “Dr. Yangky,” is the epitome of embodying the principles of the transformative power of lifelong learning. “My teaching–learning experience is life span – from womb to tomb,” Dr. Yangky said in an interview with The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. (TIPI). At 70 years of age, Dr. Yangky’s insatiable curiosity has led her to excel in not just one but various exceptional professions throughout her life – Teacher, Musician, Music Therapist, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Life Coach, and Author. Professional and academic achievements Starting her career in music, Dr. Yangky was heavily influenced by her parents.  “In music, my parents were my inspiration. On my father’s deathbed, he told me to take up music, learn to play the piano, and serve the Lord. On the other hand, my mother wanted me to specialize in music therapy,” Dr. Yangky said. Yet, at the core of her being, Dr. Yangky’s passion and thirst for knowledge propelled her into another path where she envisioned herself as a Journalist/Writer and Psychologist. And that she did. Dr. Yangky’s exceptional academic and professional achievements are a testament to her belief in the transformative power of education. Her drive towards the continuous learning process is not just a personal journey but a source of inspiration and encouragement for others. An accumulation of her various passions, interests, and influences in life, Dr. Yangky pursued and finished her education with a Bachelor of Music, Master of Family Life and Child Development, Master of Arts in Music, Majoring in Music Therapy, and PhD in Education, Majoring in Educational Psychology.  For many years, she has trained early childhood teachers, child development workers, special education, receiving teachers who handle children with exceptionalities (those diagnosed with giftedness and neurodevelopmental disorders), parents, and other paraprofessionals. A perpetual learner, Dr. Yangky also has certifications in Liturgy and Music at the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music in Quezon City, Dementia Care, Neurologic Music Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Neurolinguistic Programming. On being an author and writer Dr. Yangky’s deep-seated passion for education and learning naturally extended to her writing books for children. As an author, she leverages her teaching experiences as a music teacher, preschool teacher, and developmental and music therapist to structure her books according to the needs of her target learners. She has encountered all types of learners – from individuals with age-related issues to those with neurodevelopmental disorders and are developmentally delayed. According to Dr. Yangky, education should be a specialized experience that recognizes and celebrates every individual’s unique characteristics and needs because each child is special and different. “They need to learn the same concepts and develop skills, but teaching should be tailored-fit, and the curriculum’s content must be age/condition-appropriate, socially relevant, and aesthetically motivating,” Dr. Yangky said. One of her initiatives as an educator geared towards the development of children is writing the workbooks “Getting Ready to Write” and “Ready to Write,” published under TIPI. “Getting Ready to Write”, a writing workbook by Dr. Estrella “Yangky” R. Agustin published by The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. These writing textbooks adopt a step-by-step approach to developing the children’s love for writing. This approach encourages the children to move to the next level of learning without fear. The workbooks generally aim to develop the children’s fine motor skills, teach them to follow directions, and let them learn new words as a doorway to developing receptive and expressive language. Therapy through books and music Dr. Yangky believes that when trained in bibliotherapy, teachers can help children gain healing and therapeutic benefits from books. Bibliotherapy involves using literature as a tool for therapy to aid individuals in coping with emotional and psychological difficulties. It can be particularly beneficial for children with distinct learning characteristics, providing a secure and interactive method for addressing their needs. “If teachers are trained how to handle unique learning characteristics. Bibliotherapy is also what is done with cancer patients and children who were/are victims of abuse,” Dr. Yangky said. She added that, in addition to books, music can be a therapy or ‘treatment’ for those with psychobiological, neurological, and spiritual needs, as it is the neuropathway to learning.  Her passion and knowledge of Music Therapy are evident in her intrinsic musical inclination, which makes music a medium for teaching, enlightening, and empowering others.  “Music therapy is different from Music Education, (it is) different from music performance […]  Music is an arousal for the whole body and mind to move. It activates thinking, feeling, and movement. It nourishes the soul, stabilizes feelings, and regulates movement. It is a word carrier so children can be helped with their memory, expressive and receptive language,” she said. Currently, Dr. Yangky also lends her expertise to St. Peter Life Plan and Chapels by heading Music Therapy sessions and offering a safe space for self-expression and emotional release through healing melodies and therapeutic rhythms. Her work has significantly improved the well-being of the community members, demonstrating the transformative power of her lifelong learning journey. Dr. Yangky concludes by highlighting the importance of remediating literacy of Filipino youth at home and in early childhood. “Start in early childhood simultaneously with parenting roles. Undergrad Curriculum should have common subjects in

AFCC 2024: Spotlight on the Philippines – Celebrating the Rich Tapestry of Filipino Children’s Literature – Copy

AFCC 2024: Spotlight on the Philippines – Celebrating the Rich Tapestry of Filipino Children’s Literature By: Abigael Joice Francisco, Mheryll Giffen Alforte & Miguel Anton FloresPublished June 4, 2024 5:00 PM Philippine’s country stand at the National Library Singapore for AFCC 2024. Photo from the National Book Development Board Philippines. In the landscape of children’s literature, where every page holds a new adventure and every story sparks curiosity, the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) 2024 stood as a tower of inspiration and innovation. As the curtains rose on the AFCC 2024, hosted at the prestigious National Library of Singapore, anticipation mounted for an enchanting journey into the world of storytelling. A vibrant event dedicated to the celebration and promotion of children’s literature, now in its 15th edition, brought together writers, illustrators, publishers, educators, and literary enthusiasts from around the world, all united by a shared passion for enriching the lives of young readers. The AFCC 2024 Theme: ”Curiosity”. Photo by Asian Festival of Children’s Content Official Page. This year’s AFCC carried the theme of “Curiosity,” inviting attendees to embark on a quest to unlock the boundless wonders of imagination. Curiosity, the insatiable thirst for knowledge and discovery, serves as the guiding light illuminating the paths of young readers as they explore the realms of literature. Philippine Delegation at the country stand. Photo by the National Book Development Board. At the heart of AFCC 2024 was the Philippines, shining brightly as the Country of Focus. The Philippine delegation, with some of the nation’s best Children’s and Young Adult book authors, illustrators, and publishers, flew to Singapore under the wing of the National Book Development Board (NBDB). Bringing its rich heritage, vibrant culture, and diverse literary traditions, the Philippines took center stage offering a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered. From folk tales steeped in myth and legend to contemporary narratives reflecting the complexities of modern life, Filipino children’s literature captivates hearts and minds with its depth and diversity A presentation on “The Illustrator’s Playground: Drawing Place and Space in Picture Books” by Rommel Joson. Photo by the National Book Development Board Against this backdrop, AFCC 2024 set forth its themes and objectives, weaving together a tapestry of ideas and insights to enrich the landscape of children’s content. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, the conference ignited creativity and sparked curiosity by celebrating the power of imagination and fostering a culture of creativity, inspiring writers, illustrators, and storytellers to push the boundaries of storytelling and craft narratives that resonate with the young readers. It also promoted diversity, empowered educators, and connected communities by championing children’s literature ensuring that every child finds themselves reflected in the pages of a book. Through building bridges across borders and fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders, they created a vibrant ecosystem where creators, publishers, educators, and readers could come together to share ideas, create partnerships, and shape the future of children’s content. The Inteligente Publishing, Inc.’s representatives and Evangeline Alvarez-Encabo after the panel discussion on “Outside the Box: Navigating Textbook Creation in K-12 Philippines”. Photo by the National Book Development Board. Fortunately, The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. (TIPI) was part of the Philippine delegation at the AFCC 2024. Equipped with nearly a decade of experience in textbook publishing and some new ideas to innovate supplementary educational materials for young Filipinos, TIPI brought valuable insight and fresh eyes to the international stage for the first time. Represented by Trixia Vail Dalumpines, Miguel Anton Flores, Mheryll Giffen Alforte, and Abigael Joice Francisco, TIPI showcased its ‘Theractivity™’ books at the AFCC exhibit along with many other beautiful Filipino-authored and Filipino-illustrated children’s books. On the last day of the festival, TIPI together with Evangeline Alvarez-Encabo, a professional lecturer at De La Salle University Manila and a textbook instructional product designer and editor, shared through an informative panel discussion, their experiences and recommendations with regards to textbook publishing in the Philippines. Theractivity™ books being colored and used by children at the Philippines’ country stand. Photo by the National Book Development Board. Curiosity takes on many forms, it is the first instinct that manifests in children at a very young age– and this year’s AFCC emphasized the importance of nurturing this childlike and innate wonder. The event was the pinnacle of exceptional and untold stories throughout the Philippines; it guided attendees, children and adults alike, into the transformative power of storytelling and literary worlds. These stories crossed borders, unveiling to the global audience children’s literature that are interwoven in the colorful tapestry of the rich and diverse heritage of Filipino culture. Aside from exploring creative narratives, AFCC 2024 also allowed writers, illustrators, and industry stakeholders to intervene and create multicultural dialogues that addressed the current trends and issues in the market of children’s content. Children’s stories should be told for more reasons than one. Not only for entertainment but also as a valuable medium for learning. The future looks bright for Filipino publishing and storytelling, and it will continue to flourish as long as every Filipino child has access to basic education and literacy, two of the most essential factors that ignite the growth of children’s publishing.

Celebrating culture and diversity: The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. in Mindanao Book Fair 2024

Celebrating culture and diversity: The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. in Mindanao Book Fair 2024 by Mheryll Giffen L. AlfortePublished April 3, 2024 5:00 PM The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. campaigns literacy at the Mindanao Book Fair 2024. To celebrate diversity and bridge cultural divides, The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. (TIPI) flew all the way to Davao for its much-awaited return for the Mindanao Book Fair 2024 from March 13 to 15, at the Ateneo de Davao University’s (AdDU) Arrupe Hall. “(May this event) celebrate shared heritage and explore unlimited possibilities that lie within the pages of books,” AdDU President Rev. Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ said during the opening ceremony of the event. The aim of the event was to inspire and nurture a strong love of reading among the lively Mindanao community. Bookworms, literature enthusiasts, and inquisitive educators flocked to this year’s book fair, eager to sate their appetites for reading and quench their thirst for knowledge – and TIPI was at the forefront of meeting these needs by bringing a wide range of books and invaluable educational resources to the table The Inteligente Publishing, Inc.’s sample copies of MATATAG-compliant books on display. For the first time ever, TIPI unveiled sample copies of its newest lineup of textbooks in response to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) release of the MATATAG Curriculum. The lineup of textbooks include: Synergy 4 (Music and Arts), Banaag 1 (Filipino), Mathematics 7, Lifeguide Kindergarten (GMRC), and English Learning Ventures 4. With DepEd’s goal for the new curriculum in mind, TIPI ensured that the textbooks are pedagogically sound and enriched with exercises, instructional materials, and content. Book fair goers check out The Inteligente Publishing, Inc’s booth in Mindanao Book Fair 2024. The Mindanaoan audience also got to check out first-hand the physical showcase of TIPI’s Theractivity™ storybooks. Available in both English and Filipino, these storybooks were a hit with the audience of all ages since they constantly caught attention and had them turning heads. TIPI brought to life the portmanteau “Theractivity™,” a combination of the words “therapy” and “activity.” Like the name implies, the Theractivity™ books aim to act as “therapy” for the readers, combined with activities that encourage impressionable readers to be involved in caring for Mother Nature in their own way. Aside from the grand display of latest titles, exclusive discounts, and other learning materials, the book fair also provided free seminars and workshops on DepEd’s MATATAG Curriculum, STEAM Education, Multisensory Techniques in Teaching, and more. J-pop idol group BUGVEL at The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. booth in Mindanao Book Fair 2024. Moreover, the fair proved to be the pinnacle of celebrating cultural diversity by inviting rising J-pop soloists and idol groups, namely: BUGVEL, Chicken Blow the Idol, Kuroguro, The Canbellz, and Tenohira El. Book fair attendees and exhibitors alike were thrilled for having the opportunity to have a photo-op with the Japanese idols as they made rounds in every booth. J-pop idol group Chicken Blow the Idol at The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. booth in Mindanao Book Fair 2024. J-pop idol group Kuroguro at The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. booth in Mindanao Book Fair 2024. The three-day event was organized by Primetrade Asia Inc. and sponsored by Davao Association of Catholic Schools, Inc. with the support of the Book Development Association of the Philippines and the National Book Development Board. As the book fair comes to a conclusion, TIPI looks forward to coming back to the Mindanao region and serve as an instrument for promoting literacy, exploring the boundless possibilities found in books, as well as cultivating empathy, recognizing and overcoming social and cultural barriers, and raising awareness of these issues.