PIA Press Release
Saturday, January 28, 2012

Makati opens 'SMART' summer program on Feb. 13

MAKATI CITY, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- The local government will be accepting applicants starting February 13 for its annual summer youth program dubbed Sports, Music, Arts and Recreational Training (SMART) at the Office of Councilor Ferdinand Eusebio at the 18th Floor of Makati City Hall.

According to Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, the program can accommodate--on a first come, first serve basis--up to 3,000 young residents who wish to make their summer vacation worthwhile.

“The SMART program offers the youth of Makati a wide range of activities aimed at stimulating their creativity and developing their skills in their choice of sports or other fields of interest. It gives them the chance to enhance their leadership qualities and increase their physical and mental agility in a fun and exciting way,” Binay said.

Binay encouraged parents of children ages six to 21 years old in Makati to enrol their kids in the SMART program on February 13 or soon afterwards so they can benefit from the program.

The SMART program is now on its tenth year and has provided over 12,000 young residents free training in various sports and other fields of interest, such as music and the arts, culinary skills and academics during the school summer break.

Aside from free registration, program participants will also receive free T-shirts. The program will run from April 16 to May 26. The Office of Councilor Eusebio will be open from 8am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays, for the screening, interview and registration of SMART applicants.

Meanwhile, the events being offered are: academic tutorial classes, academics for grade 2 to 6 students; aikido for 12 to 21 years old; arnis for seven to 12 years old; badminton for eight to 16 years old; basketball clinic for nine to 15 years old; classical ballet for ages six to 15; cooking and baking for kids ages seven to 12 years old; dance clinic for ages 12 to 21; drama and acting workshop for ages seven to 12; drawing and painting for ages six to 15; guitar lessons for 10 to 21 years old; karate for ages 10 to 15; muay thai for 12 to 21 years old; personality development for 12 to 21 years old; swimming for ages seven to 12 years old; table tennis for eight to 12 years old; taekwondo for ages seven to 15; and voice lessons for seven to 12 years old.

Last year, SMART program had a total of 3,123 enrolees, of which 2,996 graduated.

The Makati SMART summer program is open to residents who are required to present the following: duly accomplished registration and waiver form, certified true copy of Birth or Baptismal Certificate of the child; Voter’s Registration Receipt (VRR) or COMELEC Certificate (bring photocopy of Voter’s ID for validation) of parent or legal guardian; and two pieces 1x1 latest picture of the child. (ICRD/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)