Fieldtrip in Yab Design, Aura of Lights, Gardenia and Starland Theme Park @Starmall, Alabang

Last January 19 I was in my mommy duty to accompany my son to their
school field trip for the 2nd time.

First destination was Yab Design in Angono Rizal.  World class as it claims
to be, is really one thing we should be proud of.  Life-size themed figures (pirates,
knights, santa claus, astronauts, etc), human figures(MJ, Mozart, famous actors
and actresses, US Presidents, etc.), animal figures, furnitures, from home to
garden and to restaurant decors to name a few of what I could remember.
These are made of resin fiberglass, woods, metals and poly-resins.

I actually have Santa Claus made of resin collection and every year, I add one
to it.

As a parent, I highly recommend that this be included in all school fieldtrips for the
kids to realize how artistic Filipinos are.

 

After the Yab Design, we headed to Touch of Aura in Boom na Boom 

Compound,  Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.  Interactive galleries on

Evolution of Light (from past to present), fun looking at different kinds of

mirrors for the Defused and Refraction of Light, different visions of some

animals were also presented to the kids, Constellations, Light Maze, shadow

show by some of the kids representatives and the Interactive Light Show

that my son really enjoyed dancing on.

 

After having lunch at Jollibee in BlueWave, third destination was in Gardenia

factory in Laguna International Park. After the short presentation of its history

and how Gardenia breads are prepared up to its distribution, we were able

to see through the top viewing glass window how the breads were produced.

All are machine-prepared, no human intervention.  We were also able to buy

some breads fresh from the oven and on their factory price.

 

 

Kids enjoyed their photo-ops. Its good that kids knew how their favorite

breads are made.

 

 

 

And the most enjoyable part for the kids - Starland Theme Park in Starmall, 

Alabang.  Two hours of swimming + Ride-all-you-can ticket in the park

made the kids' day truly fun and memorable.

 

My son enjoyed most in the bump car.

 

Riding the Sky Rail...

The Galactic Ride...

 

Resorts World Manila - A Lucky Chinese New Year for me

Relax, Shop, Dine, Enjoy and Play - all rolled into one where The Family can really
enjoy - Resorts World Manila.

It was last January 22-23 when The Family decided to experience RW Manila
in time for its Chinese New Year celebration.  As expected, series of entertainment
graced the event and was really jam-packed. 

Not to describe & criticize in detail the RW Manila but having been in RW Sentosa
Singapore where the famous Universal Studio is one of its main attractions,
can't help but somehow compare.  RW Manila still has a lot more to improve
on to stand up to the renowned RW - in terms of outside & building interior,
parking lot, number of luxury shops and restos, and gaming attractions for kids. 

Relax - It has the all-suite luxury hotels of Maxims Tower and Mariott Hotel but
we ended up to its budget Remington Hotel. Remington is good for those who
will just have few hours of sleep-over like us who stayed out most of the night
for the celebration and tried playing in its Casino.

Shop - A number of high-end shops like Bergamo, Bvlgari, Anne Klein, Paris
Hilton located at the Ground floor of Newport Mall while others are the usual
- Giordano, Guess, Adidas, Bench in the 3rd floor where I bought a nice
blouse-shirt

Dine - With few fine dining restos, bars and cafe.  Its good there is McDonalds
for the kids and Starbucks, UCC, Coffee Bean and the likes of Crepes and Cream
that can fit the budget of The Family.

Enjoy - It has its Newport Performing Arts Theater where the Sounds of Music
was shown, the Bar 360 for musical acts and acrobatic performances and
of course watch movies in comfort and luxury at the Newport Cinemas. 
Next time, The Family will try to watch movie there.

Play - Of course, we didn't miss to try its Casino. It was Chinese New Year
so I tried my luck while in red shirt.  I was more than lucky that I won few
bucks.  All expense paid by my winnings and still had a little to share with
The Family.  For the kids, the Game Zoo was just launched but
we haven't tried it. 

For sure, there will always be The Family's 2nd, 3rd...nth time for this
one great place of fun, luck and enjoyment. 

What I am looking forward to this 2012

I can say that 2011 was indeed a blessed year for The Family.   This 2012,
I'm praying that it would be a more blessed one - good health, more family
quality bonding time and closer relationship with the Lord. 

For my personal goals:
1. Enhance my technical skills @ work
2. Find time for sports - badminton, swimming, join some fun run
3. Catch-up with long lost friends
4. Eat more healthy food, hopefully lessen coffee intake while @ work.
5. Pursue on my personal business

For The Family's goals:
1. Continue to save for our son's education
2. Support my son's love for his sports - Taekwondo; Encourage him to learn
    swimming, drawing, improve in Math, introduce to him Religion, and most
    especially improve his social skills
3.  And will really pray for a baby brother to Marty. He likes a baby brother
     than sister simply because he wants a playmate.
4.  I want to experience - ITS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES....

A Blessed 2011 year it was!

2011 was indeed a blessed year for The Family.  More Sunday masses with our
son, no major illness and most of all, more quality bonding time by The Family
despite demanding time from work.

As couple, it was always a Friday night out to rekindle the fire.  Talk of
anything over sumptuous food or just a walk in the mall.

For The Son, he has grown to be a bright and handsome boy.  Completed
his Kinder 1 as Top 3 on their class.  He is great in spelling, reading and
addition.  His new love - Taekwondo.  This made him fit, strong, more
balanced and focused.  The Couple is always looking forward to watching their
Saturday TKD session .  He ended the year with his yellow belt on.

 

 

At work, we were able to overcome pressures, learn new things, meet, new
people in the industry, and enhance our technical skills. 

A closer relationship with each other's family.  More frequent visits to both
my parents and in-law's house.  Spent holiday vacation with them from in and
out of the country.

The Traveling Family - started the 2011 with a New Year in Singapore. We
went to Universal Studio, Singapore Zoo, Marina Bay Sky Park and a stroll
in the Orchard road and malls.

Last May, The Family had seen the Seoul, Korea's best.  A stroll in the Seoul
street, had a taste of their street food and other delicacies. Enjoyed the Han
River cruising, played in the parks and went in the Everland, considered as
Disneyland of Korea. Safari world is also inside.  We'll surely come back to
Everland for the Carribean Bay experience.

A photo-op on the Gwanghamun Square. Marty as heir to the throne...

At the Han River - cruisin and passing through different colored-bridges.

With the addition of baby Reina to the Catalan Family, we went back to
Korea but this time in  Koje island to visit our lovely korean niece last Nov.
Quite a short stay but really enjoyed every second of it.

We also re-visited Clark and had a taste of one of their luxury hotels-Widus-Hotel Vida. 

Also stayed in the city hotels with the family to celebrate special occasions
- Fathers' Day in Astoria Plaza, Christmas in Rockwell Club and New
Year in Shangrila Makati with the Santos Family.

@ the lobby of Shangri-la, Makati with Marty's beautiful cousins...

@ the Ayala Triangle Gardens watching the Christmas Lights show...

Not taking out into account, few bucks were saved also for the schooling
of my son.

As for my personal life, it was all about being a working mom.  Never had
the chance to catch up with old friends and no sports at all.  Maybe those
are the two things I also have to look forward to this 2012.

Over-all, it was really a BLESSED 2011 for me and for The Family.
For all of these, we gratefully thank the LORD.