HOMESCHOOL Global recently introduced its achievers to parents, supporters and the media in an event held at the British School Manila in Bonifacio Global City. Aside from introducing their achievers, Homeschool Global also stressed the importance of partnership with parents in customizing their children’s education according to their learning styles and abilities. The program also guides and trains parents to be a key partner in their child’s learning program.
Louise Mabulo, a finalist in the Junior MasterChef competition of ABS-CBN and also known as a culinary prodigy, is an advocate of homeschool because it developed her character and personality.
“I got started work when I was 12 at the Junior MasterChef. I thought I could not do it because it was difficult to get the permit. Junior Master Chef was challenging except for me because I was homeschooled,” Mabulo said in an interview on the sidelines of the event.
As a homeschooler, Mabulo said there are a lot of opportunities for a student to learn through interacting with people they meet and in the workplace.
Her achievements proved that homeschool worked for her. She was recently named Youth Ambassador for the United Nations and also earned a fellowship in the UN for the Resolution project for her cacao venture, which she is working right now. She was also given the honor of making the best dessert in Asia. She represented the country in the Disciples Escoffier Young Talent Trophy in Hong Kong.
She said the challenge in homeschool is to balance study and work. At the same time, Mabulo developed self-discipline and enhanced her relationship with her parents.
“Parental support was important to me because my parents helped me a lot to excel and do greater things. They were also present in all her milestones,” Mabulo said.
Gianna Chua, a graduate of accountancy in Ateneo de Manila University, said homeschooling played an important role in the development of her character and outlook in life.
Chua, who started homeschool in Grade 4 until Grade 7, recalled homeschool allowed her to gain more friends because the interaction with classmates has more quality as they maximized the opportunity to bond when they meet.
“When you are in regular school, your focus is on studies during the eight hours you spend there. After school, you go home and do the homework,” she said.
Meanwhile, her younger brother, Adrian Nathaniel, a math wizard, is also a product of homeschool starting at Grade 4 until high school. Gianna said Adrian Nathaniel was bored with his studies when he was studying in the traditional school.
“He changed his attitude when he was homeschooled because he liked the pace of the studies,” she said.
Adrian Nathaniel won bronze medals at the International Mathematics Competition (IMC) in 2010 in Singapore; China Junior Math Olympiad in 2011 and at the International Mathematics Wizard Competition in Hong Kong in 2012.
He was also named overall champion at the King of Mathematics Wizard Competition in Hong Kong in 2012; and placed sixth overall at the International Regions Mathematics League (University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2016. He was, likewise, a recipient of the Youth Excellence in Science Award (YES Award) in 2011 and 2012. He is currently a second-year college student at the University of the Philippines Manila taking up BS Applied Physics (Health Science).
Harmie Constantino, a scholar from the University of Georgia and an accomplished junior golfer, said homeschool gave her the opportunity to hone her golfing skills. “Since I am being trained to be a professional golfer in the future, I have to allot more time to develop my game,” she said.
“Homeschool has allowed me to pursue my passion without compromising my education,” she added.
Constantino won the 2014 100 Plus Malaysian Junior Open; the 2015 Philippine Junior Amateur Open; won three straight victories in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA).
Other Homeschool Global achievers are Cheska Rojas, a theater actress who performed the role Molly in Annie The Musical; as well as one of the sewer kids (ensemble) in the recently concluded play Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Flemming at the Resorts World; Freya Dorado performed the role of Gretl in the Sound of Music Manila Tour; Mika O’Hara, one of the Filipino delegates in the Youth Assembly at the United Nations and Homeschool TV host and content creator; Miguel Tabuena, a gifted golfer who won the silver medal at the 2010 Asian Games, ranked 4th at the Asian Tour Order of Merit and the recipient of the Philippine Open, Asian Tour title and Arianna Natasha Chua, the equally gifted sister of Adrian. She was a bronze awardee at the China Junior Math Olympiad in 2011; a silver medalist at the International Mathematics Competition, Singapore in 2013 and placed fifth overall at the International Regions Mathematics League, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2016.