Memory backup, Kid suggestions, Ilocos Norte and Pagudpud

Age has turned my topsy-turvy memory in a more chaotic state. Thanks to my daughter, I have needed help.

"Remind me that we need to buy this and that at the supermarket." We go buy at the supermarket and I am gently of what I earlier told her. Her impressive memory and persistence prove to be a useful backup to my otherwise short term memory.

She loves to go to school. There's no problem in waking her up, and getting her ready.

Within reach
While passing urine in the rest room, my preschooler boy remarked, "Why is our light switch placed so high? Creatures like me find it hard to reach!"

"How then should we place it?"

He argued they should be placed low enough for everyone to reach.

Top view of Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte with Manong Ador

Part of our emerging family tradition is to spend the New Year's eve in a new place. Partly to avoid the smoke of the fireworks, though we've observed that the smoke is the same anywhere we go.

This time we headed to Ilocos Norte. Took a low price airplane Cebu Pacific on sale seat on our way there and toured around Laoag City. It was sad that it was a weekend when we were there. The city's museum is impressive.

I love it that riding the kalesa is not as pricey as compared here in Manila. Fare is like that of tricycles, which is Ilocos Norte's equivalent of the jeep. P10/ride per head when we went there. Jeeps are reserved for town-to-town trips like when we went from Laoag to Paoay to visit the World Heritage Church there. We also visited a chicha-corn factory.

Corn, garlic and salt are materials abundant in Ilocos Norte, that's why chichacorn rules there!

Afterwards, we took a bus to go to Pagudpud - Luzon's Boracay. If I remember it, the fare from Laoag to Pagudpud is P60/head.

In Pagudpud, we met Mang Ador. A tour guide/tricycle driver. His number is 0948-794 0255. He toured us around Pagudpud, and the nearby towns. He even helped us look for our accommodations. He said that local tourism is a big boost in their livelihood and that the local government is helping them get proper training.

If you're Ilokano, you can read this!

We chose to visit the lighthouse of Bojeador, South East Asia's tallest. It's on top of a hill, so it really has a breathtaking view of the sea below. At summertime, visitors have to walk from the bottom up. We were lucky that Mang Ador's able tricycle took us at the steps of the lighthouse.

On our way, we had lunch and I ate their pinakbet version. I find it a bit salty. Perhaps because salt is so cheap there? Pasuquin's rows and rows of road-side salt stores are nice to see. Mang Ador chose the Bagnet, the pork chop of Ilocos Norte.

I love their green grapes. The seeds make them real healthy. A kilo is P80.

The windmills of Bangui were giants guarding the shore. They make this scary sound that my little boy doesn't like. They say that it supplies 40% of the province's power needs.

On our way back, we took the bus and it was expectantly uncomfortable. It was cheaper. We had no choice. All throughout the 12-hour trip from Laoag to SM North, the bus kept on stopping to load vegetable produce from farmers who had contacts in Manila. From the smell of it, we rode with onions and pepper. The other vegetables didn't smell that strong.

Before boarding the bus, I was able to try their empanada. It's a marriage of lumpiang toge and kwek-kwek. It's either I am not a great fan, or the one I tried wasn't very well prepared.

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.

Cars 2, Rooftop hydroponic greenhouses, Edouard Martinet, Steve Jobs, parenting tip from Dr. Kevin Leman and Pinto Art Gallery in Antipolo

Thanks to the long weekend from P-Noy, my kids were able to go on a date with their Ma Dahls to see Cars 2 in 3D. They love it, of course.

"Carlos was very excited he kept on jumping on his chair," my little girl told me about her brother.

They got tired from too much fun that they slept early that day. Good start for this 3-day school week. :)

Planting fun and nobility
The world is going back to agriculture. Noting organic as the way to go. As a lass from the province, I am at home with the land. That's why I want my kids to experience slow life in the rural farms. We haven't had the chance to do that.

I have heard of hydroponic farms in Tagaytay which supplies salad greens to five-star restaurants in the metro. Hydroponic started in the Middle East where they used water to hasten the planting cycle. Now, this practice is being implemented in New York on un-utilized rooftops through Bright Farms.

Edouard Martinet - sculptor
It would be really freaky to see crawling insects like these. Seamlessly sculpted from metal, these creations look like they are the real deal.

Artists are really innovators and dreamers. They see things that aren't yet there, and their eyes perceive things that are already there in a very different way.

Goodbye Sir Steve Jobs
People don't know what they want until you show it to them. ~ Steve Jobs

10 Laws of Steve Jobs

One shining claim of the US is Steve Jobs and Apple - amidst the gloomy picture their country is painted now. The world respects this guy highly, because he changed the world several times. His personality and attitude settle for none and that make him stand out.

We have shifted to the Mac experience slowly some two years ago. They say that once you've experienced it, you won't settle for anything less. From a single Mac laptop to all things Mac in our house, that's how we've been Steve-fied.

The world will need another fountainhead that will steer excellence and perfection now that he left Apple as CEO.

Unhappy parents 

Dr. Kevin Leman  advises parents to utter, a simple and calm "I'm very unhappy with what I see/hear "...turn around and leave.

It works with 4, 10, 17, not to mention the 20 year old. I call it " parental poker". Every parent has to learn to play those cards just right. It works. Kids don't like it when mom/dad are unhappy!

I have tried the Leman book Have a New Kid by Friday and I agree 100% with his sensible parenting tips. Though sometimes I forget, being reminded consistently of parenting the Leman way proves effective.

Take for instance a conversation I had with my daughter's classmates' mom. She told me that her son didn't want to go to school anymore. When she investigated, her son admitted that he fears school because the teacher might get mad at him when he fails to write his name. The boy said the teacher looked like ghost when she got angry. My daughter never mentioned anything about her teachers getting mad. She is, perhaps, used to serious looking mom when I deal with her the Leman way.

Pinto Art Gallery in Antipolo, Rizal
My share of the long weekend climaxed yesterday, when together with my small group, we went to the Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain near the Gozon compound in Boso-Boso, Antipolo. After having our lunch there - I ordered their famous arrozcaldo, we visited Pinto Art Gallery. It was a gallery and a private collection exhibit hall of Dr. Joven Cuanang, a director of Neurology at St. Lukes Medical Hospital.

The facility lies behind a famous restaurant named Laya. I don't know if the people who eat there know about this treasure tucked behind the gate inside the Sierra Madre Grand Height Subdivision.

The Mediterranean inspired design of the whole place worked around the natural landscape of the place. There were trees shooting inside the roof of the veranda. Huge boulders of stones were incorporated at the main art gallery as if they were in exhibit too.

I also liked that in between the art houses are green gardens with welcoming lounge areas. The garden used endemic plants - saw black bamboos there - both ornamental and palatable ones. I only found out that citronella leaves look the same as lemon grass there.

Pinto Art Gallery is a place I will go back to - bringing the kids with me next time. There was a pre-nuptial photo session ongoing when we had our tour. And yes, we were toured by one of the artists in display there too - Mr. Jim. All the featured artists are Filipinos and they are AWESOME creations there. More power to Filipinos supporting the Philippines art and nature.

A trip to Laguna

It has been an annual tradition to spend Holy Week at Lobo Beach in Batangas, Daddy Paul's side of the family. Now that Lois is four-years old, she is excited to go to the beach. I could almost use it as a power controler over her. "If you don't pack away those toys, you will not join us to Lobo." It would definitely work.

But a parenting book Daddy Paul and I are reading suggests the other way. Say it once, walk away, follow through. I've tried it twice with Lois and result is a po-answering kid. The book works! And I haven't finished it yet.


The book, entitled Have a New Kid by Friday, however, is not for the weakling. It meant really sticking to the punishment you will give. The first thing I used with Lois was to deny her milk from her bottle. Yes, I was willing to let her go on a fast - because she was obviously hurting other people. She would intentionally hit his Kuya Doods, my nephew and sole employee, then say sorry after I reprimand her.

When I saw her hitting him again, I confronted the behavior. With my most serious face, I brought her to our 'punishment room' and told her she cannot have milk because she constantly hits Kuya Doods. I labeled what I was doing with her. "You're given a punishment because you keep on doing what is wrong, hitting Kuya Doods. It is bad to hurt people. And you don't say sorry then keep on repeating the same thing."

I've to admit it was hard. It required that I deal with Lois completely, all my attention to her. Then, given the punishment, I had to be tough. Giving in to her whines and cries would break the spell. In our case, Lois constantly bogged me for her milk, but I reminded her she cannot have her usual bottle until it was bedtime.

I guess this incident showed Lois who was in charge? Or perhaps, since I was firm, she learned Mommy Tams would really do what she said? Whatever reason, I am happier with Lois. She has become a more respectful daughter, and a responsible sister - at age 4.

Meeting Baby Skid
Before heading to Lobo, Batangas, we passed by Binan to finally meet and welcome the newest addition to the Guevara clan - Baby Skid, Kuya Bong and Ate Alyn's most precious firstborn.

It was amusing to find Baby Skid on top of the table. With his rocker cradle strapped to the chairs, week-old Skid was fast asleep very unmindful of us. Well, that's what newborn babies do a lot. He was covered, almost from head to foot and Mommy Tams took to removing his clothes, checking on him, perhaps too, reminiscing on the good old days when Lois and Carlos were like that. It was amusing that little Baby Skid was smiling. Whether it was gas or pure bliss, it was heartwarming to see him beam.

The kids, with the dad and Ma Dahls were checking the almost garden paradise which Skid would now call home. Shady trees, beautiful flowering plants, chirping birds, barking dogs plus huge turtles and tilapias all inside their compound. Inside too was the Coke room, where Kuya Bong and Ate Alyn display their humongous Coke memorabilia collection.

We're excited to have Baby Skid grow up. I'm sure the kids would definitely love to play, swim and run with him.

Proud to be from Pandi

Yes, something world-class has FINALLY come out from Pandi, Bulacan - my hometown. For the longest time, it has been a quaint, little town unknown to the country. I'm sure it is still now, I just saw the town announcement that it has gained 2nd-class municipality status. Kudos! But the time of reckoning is upcoming with the opening of Amana Waterpark. It boasts of a wave pool that's the biggest in Asia along with 12 others. It is scheduled to open on March 28, 2009.

From what I've heard, they will be bringing in TV celebrity Jericho Rosales during the opening salvo. He's a surfing aficionado, maybe he'll ask him to do some tricks at the pool. If swimming at Amana is the same as surfing the beach waves, then surfers won't have to travel as far as La Union for the waves.

I'm really excited for Pandi as the resort will surely bring in jobs and improvement to my town. As early as now, I've heard they're limiting the hiring to Pandi residents. My brother tried applying as a bookeeper. I hope he gets it.

To get there via public transport, take the Sta. Maria, Bulacan route of bus lines. Then alight at Walter-Mart Sta. Clara in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Take a jeep to Pandi, at the Pandi Poblacion, take another jeep ride with the Bagbaguin signage. It'll pass there. Perhaps they'll come up with a direct route. I hopefully pray.

Entrance fee they say is P250/head.

And for the contact numbers, they are: 0922-8708428, 044-6612384, 044-6612383.