Download E-Books and E-Magazines from Buqo App with SMART

I haven't been able to regularly buy magazines for the past few years, mainly because I now spend more time in front of the computer. Thus, I get to read informative and entertaining materials off the internet, and also from my tablet and mobile phone. Good news for people like me, Smart Communications recently tied-up with Summit Media to offer subscribers easier access to e-books and e-magazines with Buqo app and pay with Smart!

I was actually excited to get the Buqo app immediately since I can now get copies of some of the Summit mags I used to buy, like Yes!, Preview, Yummy, and Good Housekeeping.  I simply charge it to my Smart postpaid account on an android phone.  It's that easy!  Have I convinced you yet?

First, what is Buqo?

Buqo is a mobile bookstore, newsstand, and reader app all rolled into one.
It's currently available for both Android and iOS users.

Sample screen shot - browse, choose, buy, pay with Smart

What I like about the Smart-Summit-Buqo collab:

• Quick and easy download of e-books or e-magazines via Buqo app
• Browse, choose a publication, add to cart, check
• Any Smart subscriber (currently for Android units) can easily download and buy Summit publications:
• Pay using Smart Prepaid load or charge to your Smart Postpaid bill - this is the best part, 'coz it's so convenient!
• No need for a credit card
• With Buqo, no need to lug around heavy books and magazines when on the road or traveling
• Read books and mags anytime, anywhere -- from a smartphone or tablet
• Access to top Summit Media publications, like: Yes! Magazine, Preview, Candy Magazine, Esquire Philippines, and more

How cool is that?! And there's more -- Smart will soon offer special rates and deals for books and magazines that will be exclusively available to Smart subscribers. Yey!!!

The Buqo mobile app with Smart operator billing is currently available for Android devices. 
Click here for a simple step-by-step: http://smart.com.ph/buqo.

Download Buqo app now! Buy your e-books and e-mags with your Smart load or bill and enjoy reading on your mobile devices.

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Family Friday: School is Fun!

Second Friday of the month: Schooling / Kids / Parenthood

"It's fun!" "I like the toys there." "My favorite place is the playground and the library."
That's coming from the girl who seemed to be enjoying her school now, after the first week of having separation anxiety.

During her preschool years, the first month was a struggle for me and the girl when I bring her to school everyday.  She usually clings to me and didn't want to let me leave, sometimes crying as the teacher carried her or led her to join her classmates.  There were days she intentionally wanted to be late, so "there will be less hours left in school".  Ironically, when I fetch her after dismissal, she'll usually say she had a good day in school!

Naturally, on her first day in "big school", we expected it to be difficult again.  Before we left the house, I wanted to take a picture of her in uniform since this is the first time she's worn one, but she refused.  She wasn't even smiling in the car on our way to school.  Our only consolation is that she'll be with some of her former classmates, and her former preschool teacher is her class adviser again.

Even after seeing some familiar faces, there was still no enthusiasm to go to class and she hesitantly followed teacher and sat on the chair.  I waved goodbye, but she's clearly not too happy as I left the room - masama ang loob, heehee.  Look at this snapshot on her first day. 

"Mommy, school was not that bad after all! I had fun!"  This, coming from the girl who'd rather stay home and play. What a relief.

  

It's been almost two months since that first day, and I know she's learning so much and having a great time in school with all the wonderful stories she's been telling me everyday.  I don't even have to ask how her day was.  I think that's a good indicator of how well she's doing in school, her developing relationships with her peers and teachers, and how she copes with the day-to-day challenges and activities. 

Aside from her request to stay a few minutes on the swing after dismissal, she's also fond of borrowing new books from the library.

"I will not give you a hard time with assignments. I'll try to have all A... is A the highest grade, mommy?"

She sees me tutor her big brother, and she knows I get so frustrated at times while teaching the boy.  She often wants to do activities too while the boy does his homework.  One time, out of the blue, she said she won't give me a hard time when it's her turn to have homework.  So sweet!

"School is nice!"

That's coming from the daughter of OC Mom in Manila.  The girls are classmates and I'm happy to know they share the same sentiments.  Little OCmom even wants teacher to give them harder homework! =)

"I don't like school. I LOVE school!"

That is the clincher from A, son of Mothering Earthlings.  They're classmates too.  He's the charming boy who loves to chase the girls, try to smell their hair, and blow flying kisses at them.

M's successful escape from A's kisses is just one of the many funny stories I get to hear from my girl when she comes home from school.

It gives me so much comfort knowing that she enjoys learning and going to school everyday, just like her classmates.  She tells me she doesn't want to be late, that she has new best friends, and that she's learning Chinese and enjoys writer's workshop. =)  The teaching methods in her progressive school encourage analytical thinking and motivates the kids to learn from each other and interact in class. Kudos to the amazing teachers too.  We chose the right school for her. I just pray we can afford to send her there until grade 12!

There will still be "bad" days, for sure, but I know at the end of the day, she'll still have fun.  She will still go to class and say goodbye with a smile.

"I had the best day ever today!"
Enough said.

All dressed up during Writer's Workshop party in school

I can't remember being this happy when I was still studying.  

Did you have fun in school?

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Mom-Finds: Look It's About Me - Personalized Books

Last Friday of the month: Finds and Faves / Gift / Books


You can only imagine how thrilled the boy and girl were as soon as they saw their names on the book cover!

As seen on my Instagram

I found out about these amazing personalized books from Rone.  Lucky for us, she sent the publishers our way, and so the boy and the girl got their very own storybooks to star in.  Look It's About Me is such a unique find that both adults and kids alike would appreciate.

Between the two, it's the girl who is more of a reader.  The boy has his moods but picks up an adventure book from time to time.  He used to bring home the series of Geronimo Stilton books from the school library, then shifted to art books and reference books.  The Great Space Race was an obvious choice for him when I showed him the titles to choose from.  He has been fascinated with the heavenly bodies and astronomy since he was 2!

When you order a book, you will be sent a form that you need to fill out with a short list of information, which will then be included in your book of choice.  For his book, my boy got to choose two friends to "bring along" and compete with him on his space race.

The Great Space Race also has a version for girls.  As the boy started reading, the girl was equally engaged in the adventure and they both sat down to enjoy the story together.  One bonus activity that all three of us enjoyed was found at the end of this book... 

Have a look - take The Great Space Race book tour here.

I thought the girl version of the space race book would be the choice of my daughter, but I guess she still has a hang-over from her recent birthday celebration. Hence, the Super Duper Birthday Party was her pick.

My girl knows that with books, I will buy one for her anytime, but not with toys.  She's now an early reader and enjoys browsing through the different titles we have at home, and in her classroom.

This birthday party book features different animals, and has bright colorful pages.  She particularly loves the giant birthday cake with her name on it, and the mailboxes where the stork delivered her birthday party invitations.  There was a mailbox with no name, so she decided to put "mommy, daddy" and told me we were invited too! =)

Take a peek inside the Super Duper Birthday Party book - tour here.

What I like about Look It's About Me books:

• Personalized stories
• A good tool to encourage kids to read more (since they are the star of the book) 
• A selection of titles for boys and girls
• Big size, and hardbound (hard cover)
• Bright and colorful - attractive for kids
• Simple storyline, with easy-to-read words
• Educational, fun, and engaging for young (and not so young) readers
• A novel gift idea

Any kid would love to see their names and star in their own story books, making this a fantastic gift for any occasion.  I hope the publishers would add more titles soon.

You can view and order their storybooks and other gift items from Look It's About Me website.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Family Friday: Video Games and Spelling

Second Friday of the month:  Schooling / Kids / Parenting

iPad, Wii, XBox, DSi, and cartoon shows ...they did this to my boy...

This post will be all about the boy.

With this latest feat, it now became 1000x harder for me to deny the fact that playing lots (and I mean hours and hours) of video games and too much TV is not all that bad for kids. Well, in this case, for my kid. Obviously, his reading and spelling skills greatly improved due to iPad apps, games, etc. etc.

Don't get me wrong, he still reads books. And he asks a lot of "how do you spell..." questions. We also set time limits to his playing and TV watching, with parental guidance (or nanny guidance) all the time.

Our parenting style may be frowned upon by some, but that's just us. We were never the "no-TV-no-gadgets-on-school days" type.  It simply would not work given the circumstances in our household. We compromise with the kids.  Study first before play/TV.

My confession:  I survived my student life studying while the TV and radio are on. Crazy as it sounds, it helped me focus better. And I never studied past midnight. So who am I to ban them from all these on school days?

While he continues to enjoy the mousey adventures of Geronimo Stilton, and finishes the required reading materials in school, he reads a ton of game instructions on his own everyday.  He also coaches his little sister, and even reads and seriously watches game cheats on YouTube, would you believe that?!

I guess what I'm trying to say here is...to each his own.  

My boy has his own style of learning and we recognize that. I believe all of us parents should recognize how our children learn best, and try to support that.

He's an audio-visual learner. He cannot sit through homework for long periods of time without brief breaks in between.  He tunes out and goes into his zone when focused on a task. He's a very fast learner, grasping concepts quickly.  We always knew art, math and science topics are the boy's strengths, so these achievements in reading and language surprised us.

Before his Spellbound qualifying certificate,
he got a Reading Award

My only credit here is that I did review him with the first batch of words provided for the initial round of their spelling bee. I was not aware of how big they will make Spellbound in school until he told me he got qualified in the Semi-finals, then this, for the Finals. Honestly, we did not have any expectations, and there was no pressure on his part as well. It has always been that way with us in terms of studies.  Therefore, this is all him. 

I thank God everyday for blessing us with an intelligent boy (who doesn't need much tutoring). I am a lousy tutor, I tell you, but I try my best with whatever patience I have at every session. With my level of tutoring, I am amazed that he gets me, and how I explain his lessons to him! :D  I have to admit, hubby is way better at this.

Be responsible. Do your best. No expectations. Reach for the top.
Daddy and mommy are so proud of you JT! :)



I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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