Nursery School Activities

Couple of months ago, we joined several school activities including Buwan ng Wika and Nutrition month. I felt this was a milestone for the both of us being me as the official Mommy of a school boy while Jami was a real school boy. Hahah!

May masabi lang. =D

Anyway, let me share with you our Nutrition Month celebration. They were asked to come on a costume based on the category given to their classroom or on P.E uniform with hat while mommies wear a color coded shirts like red for nurseries and yellow for kindergarten.

I had a hard time looking for a costume while too lazy to make one. Alam nyo naman I wasn't a very artistic type or person at wala talaga akong ka art art sa katawan. It wasn't also a competition na may mananalo so I didn't exert to much effort. We ended up buying a hat and added fresh vegetables on top. Hat costs Php 50 then Php10 for the veggie. Our classroom was to represent the Glow food which was mainly the veggies and fruits.

We had a short parade around the subdivision. This was our first event for this school year and I think was such a good experience after all. The kids were all sweaty after the walk but their teachers prepared some refreshments.

Nagulat lang ako since some students had a donut for grow food. I wonder if donut was really part of nutritious food ha?! Lol.

Couple of weeks later, we were then asked to wear a costume for their celebration of Buwan ng Wika plus school foundation day. The kids had a short dance presentation to perform in front of the crowd which mainly were the parents and students.

Since it was Nanay who accompanies Jami to school, I don't have an idea which music piece neither the dance steps that they are to perform. Nanalig na lang talaga ako na alam ni Jami ang sayaw nila. I was asking him to dance in front of me and show me the steps pero hindi ko magets yung sayaw talaga. Lol! I ended up letting it go and just wait for the day of performance.

To my surprise, sumayaw naman si Jami. The only thing was, poker face lang talaga at walang ka giliw-giliw sa pagsasayaw. Hahaha! It was fun watching him dancing. I was so proud kahit gulo-gulo ang steps ng sayaw nya. I have accepted that he wasn't really good in dancing because his Daddy wasn't anyway. Hahaha! By the way, if you wish to watch the video of their dance, you may check my IG feed on the left side of the blog or search @its_mommy_jen.

Our costume was borrowed from my nephew. I just bought a camisa de chino for Php120 in Baclaran. I bought size 10 since his undershirt was a little bigger for him, naisip ko baka sakto lang. Wrong! It was too small. I went back to the stall and had it exchanged to a size bigger than what I bought originally. It fits perfectly this time and could still be used next year in case we need it again.

We also joined our first field trip which I will share on a separate post in the coming days. Sobrang dami ko na kasing backlogs. I hope I can finish them all as a fresh start in 2018! Can't wait for the new year. =)

Mercury Drug Suki Day Book 2018

We have 3 more days remaining before saying goodbye to year 2017.

I personally liked this year, somehow I wish it won't end but yeah, we always have to move forward.

There are a lot of things happened this year. Some I didn't actually remember! I was surprised to read about it on my 2017 planner which I bought from National Bookstore.

This year, I have found the trending Mercury Drug Suki Day book in social media particularly in Facebook. It went viral due to it's nice cover colors and interesting additional features and articles inside. I have also found out that it only requires 30 points to claim one as long as you have a Mercury Drug Suki Card. I had one years ago so I only waited until the end of December to get one.

Why now? Ayaw ko kasi ma over excite sa kakasulat eh. Lol!

Anyway, I finally paid attention to social media posts from Mommy Pehpot Blog on Facebook about buying packs of Kotex which will give you instant 10 points. I have mistakenly bought 2 kinds of Kotex that aren't included on their item of the month so no additional points on that. I initially have 14 points on my card so I only needed 16 to get the day book. I bought two packs of Kotex so I have 34 points in total before claiming.

Today, I called several Mercury Drug branches along Pasay and Makati hoping they still have some in stock! Sobrang trending nya, laging out of stock. I was even told by a lady in the cashier that their allocation of the planner has been consumed so there are chances not to have some delivered to their branch anymore.

I tried calling 6 Mercury Drug branches and was only told they will 'hopefully' restock in January third week. Sad! The 7th branch I called which was Mercury Drug Malibay branch (Pasay along Edsa) came out positive! I tried to immediately reserve one pero madami naman daw stock and all colors are available pa so no need for reservation.

I took my lunch and went there agad! Claiming one was easy, just need to present your suki card.

Some people came inquiring about it while I was there so I suggest to call the branches before going there to see if they have the daybook in stock. Sayang kasi effort eh.

The daybook is available in three colors: Green, Blue and Peach Blossom.

From Mercury Drug Facebook Page

I like the Pink Blossom but I loved the Green! I also realized that 2018 is the year of the Earth Dog so very timely sa color Green! :D Pwede din naman blue, I just like how the Green looks papansin. Heheh!

You can check Nheng's wonderland vlog about unboxing of Mercury Drug planner here.

MY TAKE:

Seriously, Mercury Drug did a good job this year since the colors of the daybook are very millenial so it caught a lot of attention. I also loved the cover, the designs are embossed so may texture. As mentioned, it has colorful articles and minimal activities like sleep tracking, eating habit, water intake etc. There are plenty of space to write down your thoughts too. 

The only thing that disappoints me was, it has no calendar. I meant it has no usual dates on each pages like most planners. I was expecting it to have one and felt sad for 1 minute. 

However, I realized hindi naman ako araw araw nagsusulat. Some days are just plain boring and has nothing to write about so I guess I could work with that. I just have to write down the day or even allocate the pages month per month to make it more organized. 

Nevertheless, the planner was really nice for the price of Php125. Some even said they only have to spend Php50 for it. Not bad at all right?! I am just happy with it plus I got the color I was eyeing for so I felt complete now that the year is about to change! 

Happy New year guys!!

Campuestohan Highland Resort

The last part of our tour in Visayas was the Campuestohan Highland Resort in Bacolod. As mentioned previously, it should be done on our third day but due to our very tiring and hectic schedule the day before, we have decided to tour the place on our very last day.

We checked out of The Inns Bacolod in the morning right after breakfast and headed to The Ruins, spent some time and went straight to Campuestohan Highland Resort. It was almost an hour drive from city proper so we arrived around 9am-10am. It was Monday morning but there were quite a number of people in the area. I guess weekends or holidays can be a lot more than that but then the place is really big and could accommodate huge number of guests.

As soon as we paid for entrance fee of Php 300 for adult and Php 150 for kids (2 years old and below are free), we headed to parking slot and occupied one of the cabanas near the restaurant. There was also a pool walking distance away, and boy! Don't mention the views! Since it was located in the mountains, sobrang cool ng weather with a breathe taking views. I like the place actually! Ang sarap siguro mag overnight there.

We were unsure on how we should pay the cabanas so we asked one personnel and was told that an in-charge will go there. So basically, sila pala ang kusang lalapit sa cabanas para mag ask ng payment. Mejo convenient because you only have to get settled and wait for them to bill you. Hehe! No long lines in paying.

Cottages

More cottages

There was this bridge above our cottage which we went to immediately. All I could say was.. SOBRANG GANDA NG VIEW!!Plus free pa ang use ng bridge. We have also tried the Zip line biking if that what's it's called for Php100. Scary sya sa first time na matutong mag bike! hahahah!

Playground for kids

More parking space

Parking spaces

Oh my! the view! It was a lot better in person.

The kids immediately changed into swimming attires and enjoyed the pool. Not long after, I saw Jami without his clothes on. Naghubad! Later on saw commotion, yun pala nadulas!! He was running on and off the pool. He slipped and bumped his head (backpart) in a concrete! Napatakbo na lang talaga ako and carried him. He was crying really hard! Buti na lang, there were life guards in every pool area so one accompanied us to the clinic to have him checked. Na-stress ako ng very light because the hospital can be a little far if the case is worst. The nurse checked Jami and good thing, mejo nagkaron ng redness lang yung part na nauntog. I was guessing it was his elbow who took all his weight after he slipped because he had scratches there. Jami was able to limit the head bump kasi yung pwet and elbow nya ang unang nag impact.

Thank God!!

I was really worried. I was asked to put ice and monitor him if he gets dizzy or nausea. He wasn't sleepy din so it was a good sign.

Just so I could take all the worries away, I took the chance to roam around the place and found out na super laki pala talaga! They had a lot of attractions with different themes. Ang galing lang din ng staging and the statues were huge! as in!  It was a theme park plus swimming pools! I took Jami to a stroll for some picture taking. =)

Nako! I swear the photos don't give justice to the place since sobrang ganda and well thought off. For a whole day, hindi ka mauubusan ng gagawin. Almost every part were instagram worthy! Then if you're tired of picture-taking, pwede kang mag swimming. Sulit na sulit ang entrance fee. No wonder ang daming tao even on a Monday. Pang family talaga ang place and it offers a great bonding experience. The weather was nice sobrang cool ng air, yun nga lang mainit din kapag katirikan ng araw. We also had lunch in their restaurant. The food taste okay, parang normal Filipino food. Maybe next time we could try their accommodation. =)

Sorry if under dress si Jami ha. He just got out of swimming pool after the incident so wala na akong time na bihisan sya sa sobrang stress ko. Hahaha!

"Sana anak, wag kang magalit sakin sa mga photos mo when you're old enough. I swear bata ka pa jan at wala ka talagang pakialam eh. Hahaha! Love you!" =D

Since my sister and family have to leave the place earlier (for their Cebu trip), and our flight back to Manila is around 6pm pa, I have decided to be left behind.

When the family left, Jami and I took a shower near our cottage. I must say na sobrang lamig ng tubig talaga. It's as if you took a bath with icey water!! Around 4pm, I have decided to leave Campuestohan para hindi kami abutan ng dilim sa daan.  Take note that Campuestohan is quite far from the city proper.

Mejo mahirap din pala carrying a luggage, a back pack and more than 1kg of sweet mango from Guimaras along with your 4year old kid. Nanay was so worried dahil kami nga lang ni Jami. It was a good thing that I grew up hearing Nanay's dialect (Ilongga/Hiligaynon) which is being used in Bacolod so it wasn't that hard to communicate with them. I can understand the dialect somehow but I can't speak straight so I usually answer in tagalog. Karamihan din naman sa kanila could speak tagalog so it wasn't an issue at all.

 I asked the guard to take a photo of us as a souvenir.

I rented a tricycle to bring us straight to the airport which originally costs Php800. I managed to bargain and make it to Php650. Yun nga lang, along the way, the driver said that he'll drop us off where the van would take us to the airport since tricycles are not allowed along the main highway. I just have to pay him Php500.

Seriously, ang daya ni manong. He offered to take us to the airport tapos biglang bawal daw sila sa highway? The guard from Campuestohan told us that it costs only Php100-Php150 to the van terminal. Nag inquire kasi ako before hiring a tricycle but since the tricycle driver offered to bring us straight to airport, pumayag na ako sa Php650 tapos i ka cutting trip nya ako. But I don't have time to argue, Jami was so tired he fell asleep while we were on the tricycle, plus all the baggage, hinayaan ko na lang.

We arrived in the van terminal that could bring us to the airport (I forgot the name of the building but it was on an intersection with Mcdo and Jollibee). Fare costs 150 per head (kids are free) which will leave based on schedule. Since we arrived earlier, Jami and I ate at a Mcdonald across the street and went back to secure our seats 15 minutes before the scheduled departure from the terminal.

I was really glad that we made it safe! Daryl picked us up from the arrival area in Naia terminal 3 na. It was such a relief because I can no longer carry everything with Jami being so sleepy. hahah! Although I am glad that I was able to experience riding the airplane just the two of us, I am sure hindi ko yan uulitin for quite sometime. =D

Campuestohan Highland Resort
Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

The Ruins, Bacolod

Part of our Bacolod trip in June was to visit 'The Ruins'.

The original plan was to go there in the late afternoon but due to some adjustments, like not realizing na close pala ang museums and heritage houses every Monday, we went to SM and completely forgot our itinerary. Lol! Naalala lang namin when we were having dinner and it was already past 6pm and The Ruins closes at 7pm. Toink!

We have decided to go there early morning the next day before our Campuestohan Highland Resort tour. As I have mentioned previously, transportation was not an issue on this trip because my sister brought along their car. It was a really good plan and money saver since you don't have to hire private cars/vans or group tours which can become really expensive especially if you have kids in tow.

This day was me and Jami's last day before we go back to Manila while my sister and family's travel to Cebu so we have to check out from The Inns Bacolod and bring our things with us.

It was around 30 minutes drive to reach the place. Entrance fee was Php120 for adults and Php20 for kids.

The place was well maintained, huge and perfect for big events like wedding. Sobrang ganda siguro ng place na to if it was not burnt down.

Inside The Ruins

Not allowed to go up

Short informative video of the historical place.

I also captured this shuttle's schedule pick up and drop off if you wish to go to the Ruins without private cars or not to hire a tricycle which could be a little pricey dahil malayo-layo sya from the city proper.

Over all, it was a nice experience to visit this historical place. The story of The Ruins was very touching and saddening of course. I just wish we were able to visit around 5pm when the lights are on plus no rain showers. Nevertheless, if you are planning to visit Bacolod, don't forget to include The Ruins on your list. =)

After Christmas Rush

Okay so it's official, tapos na ang Christmas and all are well rested na somehow.

Last couple of weeks kasi, sobrang aligaga ng mga tao, they are everywhere so sobra din ang traffic here in Manila.

How did you celebrate your Christmas? Did you stay at home with family & friends? Went out of town or out of the country? Shalaaa.. Regardless on how it was celebrated, I hope you had a wonderful time.

Well, I know I have mentioned before that I didn't grow up celebrating Christmas day. The day I always look forward to was celebrating New Year's Eve. It was a special one because it reminds me so much of my childhood. Super exciting!

You might be confused but yes, you are reading it correct. We don't celebrate Christmas because we grew up in Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ).

When Jami came, we always go to my byenan's house to spend the night. Walang gift giving actually. I never get used to it even those aguinaldo's so I don't pity Jami for not getting one this past few years of Christmas. I strongly believe in the religion I grew up with so I never felt "kawawa" growing up for not having what everybody else has. I believe na hindi din sa perang nakukuha yan to feel the joy of Christ being born and saved us from our sins. Diba? So don't be judgemental that some are "kawawa" or "sana ganyan ka din" because they don't get money from Ninongs and Ninangs.

Okay too much negativity. hahahah! Sorry, I just have to release that.

In a matter of days, it's 2018 and I feel so excited and somehow not ready. I was looking forward to it last month tapos biglang anjan na pala and I am not "that prepared" pala. Lol!

You might ask, prepare saan?

For the coming year, syempre. I felt I have all the chance in the world to start over, be wise, make good decision etc. Eto lagi yung exciting part ng New Year so this what makes it feel special for me.

This time, we might celebrate it to my byenan's house. Feels weird kapag naiisip ko because I have been having new year's eve sa bahay namin. I feel sad somehow but I think I'll be fine. Besides, we are celebrating it with family pa rin naman. That's what's important.

Let's cherish the remaining days of 2017! Happy Holidays guys! =)