write here, write now

Abbey Sy, artist/author

“(I wish I started) a collaborative creative non-school related project with friends that could possibly help solve or gain awareness on school issues. With the emergence of social media as a powerful tool to create change, I wish I could’ve done something to help gain awareness on either school issues or youth-related endeavors through a creative manner.”

Back-to-school essential: “A trusty planner and a set of pens for efficient note taking and class scheduling. I like planning things in advance to make sure schoolwork and other priorities during my academic year gets done efficiently.”

We recommend: It’s Not What You Say: How to Sell Your Message When it Matters Most by Michael Parker

Patricia Petil-Muhlach, mom and Luigi Muhlach, executive chef at Amacena at One Tagaytay Place

“This school year, I want my kids to develop good study habits and I want them to have a lot of extra curricular activities. Some kids stay at home and play with iPads but we want our kids to be busy with sports and other acitivities. They should get used to being productive. We also want them to develop their study habits especially now that they’re incoming first graders.” Back to essential: “A calendar for their chores so we can all manage their time and know what they can do the whole day.” We recommend: Paperblanks red journal (ruled)

Loi Saguid, mother

“I want to become more active in the PTA so I can be engaged in my child’s education. With this, I’ll be able to get first-hand information on my daughter’s performance in school from her teachers. I would like my child to be more active in co-curricular activities in school.” Back-to-school essential: “A planner for time management would really help me a lot in order to juggle my work in the office, at home and with her school.” We recommend: Hartley & Marks Asiana planner

JC Inocian, photographer

“I’d like to be more involved in my sons’ schooling –– homework, school activities, PTCs. Thankfully, both my sons are excellent students, so maybe this year I’d get them to be more involved in extra-curricular activities like sports or music.”

Back-to-school essential: “A calendar would be a big help or a reminder and to do list to be more organized and manage their schedules better.” We recommend: M ique l r ius Whiteboard

Nina Pineda, student/editor

“I will start documenting my college experience on my journal more this school year, so that I can get used to writing on schedule and getting my creative juices flowing. It’ll be nice to be able to look back one day and see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown, both as a person and in terms of my writing.” Back-to-school essential: “My red journal. It’s pretty and flexible, and the pages are smooth.” We recommend: Kuretake Fudebiyori Pocket Color Brushes

Arriane Serafico, blogger

“I wish I started emailing people I admired (back in school), especially in the international scene! When I was in college, social media and emailing wasn’t as commonplace as breathing, as it is nowadays. I would have had more success in reaching out to the greats.” Back-to-school essential: “An idea notebook where I write down all my ideas. Now, our learning - and our future - are formed by the different layers of experiences we open ourselves to. Having a physical idea notebook can constantly remind you of that. We recommend: Do One Thing Everyday that Inspires You Lauren Young, actress/blogger “I wish I started doing more activities in school, like joining organizations and competitions. It would’ve been something perfect for me to blog about now, making new memories, growing as an individual and meeting interesting people along the way!”

Back-to-school essential:

“Definitely my tumbler! All the drinks they sell in the cafeteria are always full of sugar so I just bring my own lemon water. Our school has a lot of water fountains so I found a way to save more money and the environment by not buying bottled water!” We recommend: Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley