PACEM Eco Park, Antipolo

PACEM is Peace and Care for Earth Ministry
You can see butterfly farms, mini zoo, herbal garden, seashells museum among other things at PACEM.

Interested to visit PACEM? Here are additional details:

From Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 3.30pmOn Saturdays from 8.30am to 12.00noon.For inquiries pls write or call:********PACEM*********Center for Peace and EcologyAssumption Antipolo Sumulong Highway, Antipolo CityTel.(+63-2)696-3274 or 697-2354
P85/head

Photos and other info, please visit here.

6-year old Erap Joke, Kids are really naughty, Android's accelerometer, What's inside God's heart, Packing for a swimming outing

While trying out a new game on the computer, our 6-year old asked her dad: "What's the next step?"

Dad: "It says there press any key."

6-year old: "Where's ANYKEY?"

Naughty by nature
Grabbing the chance to teach my kids about life lessons, I immediately veered our conversation to drive home a point: parents should be respected and not hurt.

Mommy: "You came from inside my tummy, that's why I am your mother. Mothers shouldn't be shouted at."

6-year old: "But you get mad at us too." (Caught than taught, eh?)


Not giving in, mommy answered: "That's because you are naughty."

6-year old: "Kids are really naughty, mommy!"

:D

Kids are kids. :)

Playing with past tense
Excited to share his latest triumph, my 4-year old announced:

"I lock-ted the auto rotate, dad!"

God's heart
While on a long road trip, the kids with their cousins were looking for ways to entertain themselves. It came to a point when they did questions and answers.

4-year old: "Does God have a heart?"

8-year old: "Yes!" enthused his cousin.

4-year old: "Where is it? I know, we are all inside of God's heart."









Swimming outing list
Summer in the Philippines means vacation time and swimming time. Packing well means a better swimming outing, so here's my default list:

1. Waterproof bag or any plastic container to put all those wet swim wear
2. Set of clothes to wear after swimming
3. Shampoo and conditioner - if swimming in pools, it is best to wash away the chlorine in your hair. Ideal is to wear swimming cap.
4. Towels - bringing extra never hurts
5. Comb or hairbrush 
6. Deodorant - sun will make you sweat, better be protected
7. Body splash or moisturizer - more common here, lotion
8. Water - bring back the loss water from perspiration and swimming by drinking lots of fluid

Food and drinks are assumed covered!

Adventure Resort in Norzagaray, Bulacan - Entrance Fees and Rates

My brother learned about Adventure Resort while watching a GMA-7 morning TV show. They say it gathers swimming, rapelling, zip lining and wall climbing all in one destination.

Since we're taal Bulakenyo, the place may be a closer summer destination. Sharing with you the rates of their facilities as of March 2012.

Daytime Rates and Other Charges

Entrance:

Adult Php125 

Kids Php100

Cottage for 15 persons+ - Php500

Package promo per head: Swim - zip - rapelling - wall climbing - Php300

Per facility rate:

Php120 - zip line

Php85 - wall climb

Php75 - rapelling

Some guidelines: white shirt only, no maong bottoms. Food may be brought inside, but there's a cafeteria serving short orders. No alcoholic drinks allowed inside, even Emperador Lite.

You may want to also check these links for photos and other details about the resort:

• Bulacan Philippines Tourism
• Bulacan Resorts
• Here In The Philippines

La Mesa Ecopark - Rainforest at the Heart of the Metro

The Philippines ranks third in the world's most biodiversity. I've heard it quite often, but living in the metro doesn't allow this reality to sink in - until I've been to La Mesa Ecopark.

What is La Mesa Ecopark
A joint project by ABS-CBN, Quezon City and MWSS, this huge piece of land used to be a squatters area. If you go there now, you may still see a row of shanties near the perimeter fence along the entrance. Sitting on a watershed, this ecological haven has been rehabilitated and is now open to the public for outdoor fun for everyone.

To do there:

• Have a picnic
Small tables and cottages are available. However, chairs and bigger covered areas are for rent per hour. There really isn't a working system as regards renting these, so be very patient or prepared. There are food stalls available. There's even a Mang Inasal outlet there.
• Walk or jog amidst a nature trail.
There's a path for this. Since it's a rainforest, fallen leaves and plants continuously grow so it's not that clear. Make sure you come into proper fitness attire with energy drink.
• Ride a horse or kalesa.
For P100 per ride, kids would have a blast to ride a real horse or kalesa. The route is around the trail, which I think isn't more than 50 meters.
• View the La Mesa Dam
Take a peek or a snapshot of the dam from the park via the covered area. It's quite a bit of stairs to get there, though.

• Ride down the slide in the playground.
There are playgrounds pocketed among the picnic grounds. Choose a table nearest one if you have kids who love slides and monkey bars.
• Get a massage.
A group of blind masseurs has set up a relaxing tent inside the park. They offer full body massage as well as hand, foot or face massage.

 
• Try the zip line.
For P100/person, experience riding a zip line. No age limit. My 3-year old boy tried it, and enjoyed.
• Climb a wall.
It rained when we went there, so the wall was not available for climbing. I would have tried it because there aren't so many people watching? Unlike in a mall or inside a gym where such activities are offered. The space where zip line and wall climbing is located is at the entrance. It's not inside the park where lots of people are.
• Play paintball.
Maximize the feel of trees and greens all around as you play paintball with your friends.
• Ride a boat.
If water level allows it, there's a lake suitable for boating.
• Go biking.
Rent a bike or a sidecar and tour the whole park.

Entrance fee
QC residents get P10 discount on the entrance of P50 for adults. Bring your IDs to claim the discount.

There were lots of people when we went there. Parking along was a bit tough, therefore looking for the cottage or picnic table. Foreigners go hiking too.

It only goes to show that Filipinos want alternatives to going to malls. And La Mesa Ecopark provides a unique adventure and family bonding at a very reasonable price. What I hope to see are educational campaigns the same way Manila Ocean Park has introduced the bleak state of Manila Bay vis-a-vis the beautiful marine life of the Philippines.

Labels on trees and plants as well as guided walking tours or via electronic jeeps would be a good idea too. Pavillions with meditation spots would work there.

What's best about it
Located some minutes away from the Elliptical Road - Quezon City Hall, it's a rainforest as good at it gets. This reminds us that our country is gifted with rich natural resources and we just have to find ways to tap that sustainably.

Un-birthday traditions, heart eggs, preparing for PTC ala Kenneth Cobonpue and Ferran Adria's El Bulli movie

How to make heart eggs

I grew up not celebrating birthdays. I understand my parent's reasons and I don't resent it, we are 12 in the family - not including the extended members. To not celebrate is the safest and most economical way to go for a farmer village family sending children to school.

With my own family now, we celebrate our birthdays very simply. Cake and a huge serving of spaghetti, though I prefer pansit. I cook great pansit! There would be times when we would invite some family and/or friends to share a meal with us at a place we haven't visited to commemorate the special occasion.



El Bulli
If you're a foodie, I'm sure you've heard of the greatest restaurant in the world. Closed six months of every year to prepare for the next season, reservation list is endless. The Spanish chef, Ferran Adria calls his cooking avant-garde, elevating it as an art. Isn't it amusing that he's no French?

You may want to catch this movie about him and his restaurant, which means The Bull. The guy is passionate and a perfectionist, which goes along, I think.

I once ate a chocolate bar infused with bacon bits. The maker studied and has been greatly influenced by Ferran Adria. I didn't like it, though it was fine. I didn't totally catch it.

PTC armaments
I haven't totally got passed the last PTC sessions, they kept a scar mark in my soul that will only be healed if I see my kids doing better. I thought, for the next PTCs I would be ready with my notes. I will observe my kids for their strongest and worst point to tackle with the teachers. The next parent-teacher conferences (PTCs) will be about both parties engaging over the kids' performance and how they may be better individuals.

Since then, I have been encouraging my kindergartener to read a book out loud daily, practice writing and choose iPad games that are educational. I have been stricter with our schedule, I admit. With or without a freelance project I see to it that the kids do activities that will build on skills they need to be better - not just at school but also in life in general.

I give punishments more often too, unlike before that I let things pass because I have other more important things to do.

Yes, the last PTC engaged me so much about parenting that tomorrow we'll be starting Wushu lessons even if it costs more than my monthly gym membership, which husband and I forego due to tight schedules, thank you very much.

Doing world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue's three questions: who am I, why am I on earth for and what am I good at - I am definitely, positively engaged in parenting.

Yeah!

Kid funny moments
Husband and little boy are in search for a barber shop. They've been sporting long hair-dos and want to have it trimmed. Pointing out the iconic spiral of blue and red to our preschooler, husband said "Look at that moving colors. Whenever you see that, it means it's a barber shop."

Our little boy replied, "Ah, like the 'loading' symbol?"

December 2009 in Photos

Christmas is more meaningful and special this year, now that both kids are bigger. Lois is a preschooler, and Carlos is a toddler. Quite some talkers. Here are things we conquered December 2009.

Ate Aliyah looking after the buffet table with the mermaid doll

Cousins too - Moi and Raymart. It's great that they are batchmates, my pamangkins.

Newest addition to our BIG family, baby Samantha Angela, named after Lola sa tuhod, Ine. Ren ren is big bro now.

Mamsy-holic

At age 30 months and 9 months respectively, Lois and 2 are addicted to me. Lois adores my sagging tummy, she sleeps better touching it. Stretch marks and all! Baby 2 shrieks for me when he sees me come in the room, holds out his arms urging me to carry him. What's the deal with you kids? Have you noticed that mommy has been spending more and more time in front of the computer?

Lois, you want me holding you while you use the toilet. Baby 2, you want me always within your sight. Yes, these are so sweet. It feels so good being LOVED back by the people I LOVE most. I have one request though. Lois, please let me dress you up. Tank tops aka padede are cool and comfortable, but you need to wear shirts and skirts when we go out. Baby 2, please don't cry so loudly when you want me. I hear you. I know when it's feeding time already. Mommy is just here, out of your sight but still with you. I need to work in front of the computer for you both. Haven't you noticed that mommy is more confident now that I've learned web designing? Haven't I become more patient and funny?


Planning for 2
60 days to go before Baby 2 turns 1 and I'm really not prepared. I plan to have a Filipiniana theme, but there is not yet a place that might fit. We'll be having it in Makati again. Hmm, ideas needed!