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December 30, 2010

..And Because Shopping Does Not End On Christmas

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.
I am still on the lookout for really good deals on the web. And I am glad to have heard of a shop offering stylish and affordable items. And that's the kind of stuff you can find over at Pier 1.
This Noche Buena was stress-less since I was not pressured into decorating. We don't have visitors and it is just us three in the family. But given that there is still one Media Noche left for celebrating, I would love to have the chance to dress up our little apartment.
Have browsed around the site and here are the top must-haves that I picked out for holiday entertaining.
1. Carved Elephant - We had a Thai dinner last night and I would love to have this little baby in my home. If anyone wants to gift me something, please let it be this! :p
2. Stacking Farm Animals - Dabby would love this. It's like the one in Dr. Seuss' Yertle the Turtle but with animals.
3. Tall Metal Clock - This one would be for Marky. He loves to keep a close eye on the clock and this one looks quite good.
Aside from the holiday gifts you can get at Pier 1, you can support Toys for Tots by dropping off an unwrapped toy and/or making a cash donation at the register. And this is during the months of November and December so you have a few more days to go for this year! :)
If you can't make it though, don't fret. There's still a way to help! Spread the holiday cheer by liking Pier 1 Imports on Facebook. For every new fan / liker, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots.
Visit Sponsor's Site

December 23, 2010

Haven't Been to the North But Pacific Waves Resorts Looks Awesome!

Resort accommodations here in Mactan do not come cheap. Even for just a non-five star resort could cost you much if you don't shop around for cheaper ones. If you know of great ones without breaking the bank, do let me know.

My classmate in #blogentrep though suggested a very cool resort. In case you are heading to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, there's a resort called Pacific Waves Resorts. I checked out their website and woah -- heaven! Wish I can head out to this place ASAP for a vacation.



The resort has 27 hotel rooms, restaurant, function rooms, chapel, reception venue, swimming pool. 

To those who wanna hold their wedding at  a prime spot like this, better check out their site. It's a bit expensive for me though but I guess I haven't seen the prices on the other resorts. Yes, you can even hold your wedding at the resort since it has a chapel, reception pavilion and a carriage. Awesome right?

But if you just want to take a dip, their pool rates are uber cheap. I can now imagine us lounging around like there's no care in the world. Which reminds me I should be buying goggles and arm floaters for the kiddo. :)

December 22, 2010

Manong Traysikel Driver, Merry Christmas to You Too.

It was exactly four years ago when this happened. I can just recall it so vividly because I was touched.. really touched with his little act of kindness that made me believe in humanity. 

December 2006 was one of the most memorable times of my life. It was the time when Dabby was born and we were all alone -- no help, no friends, no relatives were there to help us get through the time. The wait, the birth, the post-birth -- it was just us. And for first-time parents who are far from home, it was no easy feat.

Some of you may have experienced the same and would agree that it is really a hard thing to go through. Most especially when the stress of urban living can make one hard-shelled and untrusting. And here in Mactan, having distrust as a shield made it an ever handy thing to use.

We have that kind of distrust for traysikel drivers. And for those who don't know what a tricycle is here in the Philippines, it's like this one below: A three-wheeled vehicle with a motorcycle attached to a sidecar. Philippines version of a rickshaw.


December 20, 2010

Good Job CBSi! And Merry Christmas, families of Duljo-Fatima, Cebu.



Some plans are just completely not executed for some reasons. 

Plan to donate: Fail. 
Plan to volunteer: Fail.

I would have, should have. But of course, I wasn't able to. 

Some plans get to be successful though. Like the carolling and gift giving event that the society organized for the unfortunate few who lost their houses to fire.

My sincerest congratulations to my fellow bloggers of Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. and the sponsors of the yesterday's Outreach program for the 213 families were struck by a fire accident in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City. 

See the proof of their awesomeness at the Facebook album of CBSi:


Kudos to the sponsors:




December 7, 2010

Humaygad! Somebody won an iPad (and it isn't me)

I remember writing about the Proactiv promo by Proactiv Philippines where they were giving away an iPad months ago. I have posted a pic of me with my own iPad. To those who don't know what Proactiv is - the company has skin care products specifically that to fight acne. Their products have been endorsed by popular stars like Justin Bieber and Katy Perry.

Well.. Not really my own since the little kiddo already has his apps on the thing and I could hardly even find my own apps. I was able to play the Facebook game and yes, I was terrible at clicking away those pimples. Would have been fun if I won for the weekly draw! :) 

A winner is already declared though if you have been monitoring the contest and wishing the iPad would fall into your eager hands. Who won? I'm sure it wasn't me! LOL. Douden Quintin won the Proactiv Philippines iPad raffle. He is a 22-year old Technical Support Agent in a BPO company. He was very happy with what Proactiv has delivered for him. He is now recommending the product to his friends and colleagues.
 “Try nyo, para makita nyo ang resulta!” (Try Proactiv and see the results!)    


This was what he said when asked about the effectiveness of the product. And who wouldn't! 

In fact, the brand has a promo offer that you should avail soon. If you would buy Proactiv 60-day Kit online you would get a free gift from Proactiv Philippines. The gift is a complete sampler set with Proactiv Renewing Cleanser 30ml, Proactiv Revitalizing Toner 30ml, and Repairing Lotion 30ml. 




December 4, 2010

Welcoming Don Bosco's Pilgrim Relics

Who is St. John Bosco?

“Don’t hit them, but with kindness and love you must win over these your friends. …I shall give you a Teacher under whose guidance you will be able to become wise, and without whom, all wisdom becomes nonsense.”

It was a prophetic dream that St. John Bosco had when he was 9 years old. He was in the middle of a crowd of children at play, some of whom were however cursing. Suddenly, the young John threw himself at these, cursing, hitting and kicking them to make them be quiet. But a man appeared before him and told him those words and introduced him to the teacher no other than the Virgin Mary or “Mary, Help of Christians”.

Saint John Bosco is commonly known as Don Bosco, a patron saint canonized by Pope Pius XI and was declared Blessed in 1929 and canonized on Easter Sunday of 1934, when he was given the title of "Father and Teacher of Youth" (Wikipedia). He is known as the Priest of the Young or Intercessor, Friend and Patron of the Young.


November 16, 2010

Playing in the Rain, Cough Medications and Truthful Advertising

Rain, rain, go away.
Come again another day!
I love that song. Commonly heard in preschool and in children’s playlist. And most probably the first song that comes into mind when you see rain starting to fall. That is along side with Aegis bawling to – “Basang-basa sa ulan”. Rain never ceases to bring in nostalgic feelings of childhood when the first few drops fall on dry soil. I had those memories of playing in the rain.

Do you let your kids play in the rain too?



November 8, 2010

Fridge Finds - The Amazing Jell-o Creamy Fruit Salad!

It's really amazing what concoction you can make out of stuff you can find in the ref or fridge. We made this one on a boring Thursday and it was quick fix for our sweet teeth. It's really an easy, no fail treat.



November 7, 2010

Dabby's Doodles on Draw

When I was his age I am quite sure I have been using just crayons and paper to fill my moments. The smell of crayola everytime we have drawing activites for homeschooling always brings back fond memories of papercuts and experimental fun where we boil old crayons on a spoon to melt it and use for an art project.

With the digital world that we live in, it is normal for kids nowadays to include fun using gadgets. Does your kid use gadgets too?

Dabby had always been a fan of doodling using Draw via iPad. It's an app that works much like Paint on PC but yeah, much cooler since you use touch to draw.

I'll include here some of the fun stuff he made.






Blues Clues for sure. We got one like this on our bedroom door too. And on the floor yesterday.



November 6, 2010

Will you be watching Pacman - Margarito fight?

It's funny that we heard a radio advertisement on the taxi. This was when we went home from Ayala (Archon) tonight. I was asking the hubby when the Pacman - Margarito fight will be and.. well, he said he doesn't care.

Was keen on listening when they will mention the date and after minutes of blah blahs, there it was at last! The date when the fight will be -- November 14! Well, not like we're going to consciously watch but we still end up watching it! LOL

What will be my options? I can Google and stream from various blogs who have the stream link for sure. Aside from that I can always watch on the local TV which for sure will be a few hours late.

But here's one option if you have PLDT and it's to use PLDT Watchpad to watch the Pacman - Margarito fight. Here you can view it live, free and with no commercial breaks.



What you will need though is a connection speed of 768 kbps or higher is needed for optimized viewing of the fight. If you are already a plan 990 subscriber, you will need to upgrade to plan 1299 though. If you are already a Watchpad user you can reserve your slot here.


For more updates, you can “like” PLDT WatchPad on Facebook or if you are on Twitter you can follow PLDT WatchPad too!

November 4, 2010

Halloween Trick or Treat at Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort

Location: Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort
Cost: Php 800 excluding lunch and fare

Halloween is one of the fun-nest times of the year. Not only for adults who get to cross-dress but also for kids who get become mini-version of adults. Only much carefree. It's the time of the year that kids get to eat sweets with consent. It is also the time that they get to dress up into anyone they want or wish to be.


Last year we had our Trick or Treating at SM Cebu. This year we decided to spend it at Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort.  We learned about the event on Facebook and decided it is the best venue to spend our Halloween 2010. And the result? Super fun!!

October 31, 2010

Have You Tried Using AyosDito?

Usually when I browse the net for stuff to buy, I fire up my browser and Google up what I need. But one really cool place to look at and visit for stuff that you want to buy or sell is Ayosdito.ph. It is a Free on-line classified portal for cars, real estate, jobs, computers and even cellphones for sale.


What makes  AyosDito.ph stand out for me is that filtering or sorting of items via location. It makes it simple for the user, who is either a buyer or job hunter, to discover what they're searching for since all the advertisements can be categorized by region or location. You don't have to confuse yourself with ads not found locally.


Second really nice benefit is that it does not require you to register at all on the site before you could create an ad. This allows people to post advertisements more efficiently as a result saving time.



We are just browsing around right now for house for sale and it is really nice to know that they have updated listings for those here in Cebu. I think it is awesome that you can filter it up to find the best one that you want. But in this case, I wished I can have some more filters to use like what city in Central Visayas, the most recent listing, etc.

October 10, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 84 - Discussing about space flights and travel Writing one

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Discussing about space flights and travel
  • Writing one
  • Reading the poem - The Nut Tree
  • Coloring Purple
  • Singing - Did You Ever See a Lassie
Showing his Planet Earth before learning about space flights

October 9, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 83 - Critical Thinking, Reading "Sir Christopher"

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading "Sir Christopher"
  • Telling a Story Based on the Picture
  • Making a Broomstick/Fishing Rod Horse
  • Pickup Sticks

Reviewing items on the page

October 8, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 82 - Continuing Transportation Discussion, Concept of One

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Continuing Transportation Discussion
  • Concept of One
  • Finding one thing
  • Reading Sir Christopher
  • Drawing his idea of travel
  • Tossing and catching
Another session of tossing and catching

October 6, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 81 - Discuss Boats, Creative Ideas for Story

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Oral speaking
  • Creative ideas for story
  • Auditory abilities and memory
  • Constructing a boat
  • Singing a song
I just realized I have multiple posts for Lessons 78-80 but generally I have mixed and matched since the general topic of transpiration is the subject matter. Here in this one the pictures show the boat project that we worked on.

We started with a carton wrap from -- I forgot what but we have this on our "stuff" box for projects.



October 5, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 80 - Boats, Reviewing skills, Patterning and differences

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Discuss different boats
  • Reviewing skills
  • Reading the Duck and the Kangaroo
Viewing his types of boats

Viewing his types of boats

September 29, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 78 - Train Activity, Patterning

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Lessons Review
  • Train Activity
  • Patterning
  • The Clock
  • The Sugar Plum Tree
  • Favorite Song
We were able to start on the train activity for Things to Do in the afternoon. He was too excited with his new train set that we had to set aside this activity. So we continued on it and started coloring the trains.





September 26, 2010

HOBCON 10.10.10 Imperia

What: 
HOBCON 10.10.10 Imperia

When:
October 3 - 9, 2010 - Exhibit (Active Zone), 
October 10, 2010 - Cosplay / Interschool Fashion Show (Activity Center)

Where: 
Ayala Center Cebu

Mark your calendars and get ready. 14 days to go before HOBCON 10.10.10 Imperia - the biggest cosplay event of the year. Event brought to you by CANE Events (Facebook page).


September 24, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 79 - Trains, Trains, Trains

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Continuation of Transportations
  • Trains and Train Stations
  • Susie's Sleepy Time
  • Tracing a Maze
  • New Toy: Thomas and Friends

The classmate for the day: Daddy!

September 23, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 78 - Air Transport, Patterning

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Air Transport
  • Patterning
  • Shape and Color Differences
  • The Duck and the Kangaroo
  • Solving Riddles
Gathering up his toys for air transport discussion

September 22, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 77 - Modes of Transport, New Poem

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Modes of Transportation
  • New Poem - Where do Boats Go?
  • Recognizing Differences
  • Drawing Ideas
  • Songs, Creative Play


September 21, 2010

1st Cebu Comics Convention

September 25 is really going to be one busy day in Ayala Center Cebu. Aside from Ogie Alcasid Live at The Terraces with Ngayon at Kailanman: A Tribute to George Canseco, here is one other event that you guys shouldn't miss.






Homeschooling: Lesson 76 - On Transportations, Sizing

Why the skip?
You might have noticed that we stopped at Lesson 61 and then proceeded to this Lesson 76. The reason is that I have moved the lessons in between to a schedule within December in time for the holidays since that is the theme of the lessons.


Covered topics / activities today:
  • On Transportations
  • Sizing Review
  • Dream Boat
  • Creativity / Fine Motor
  • Auditory Skills


September 20, 2010

An iPad and a Facebook Game for a Pimple-free Mommy!

For my birthday this year, the dear husband gave me an iPad. Yep, he knew I so wanted that dang device. I posted on Facebook our unboxing picture (of me) and hoarded an awesome amount of comments and likes. 


I understand there are already hundreds of spam contest you might have used to get an iPad. They've really used it as bait for you to enter but you end up being disappointed because you did not get one! Well, lucky you, here's a way, a legit offer for you to win an iPad. 


September 19, 2010

Ogie Alcasid Live at The Terraces with Ngayon at Kailanman : A Tribute to George Canseco

Usually when we hang out in Ayala, we will just stay at a coffee shop and finishing up my work backlogs. Next week, it seems that Dabby and I will have about two events to look forward to. 

If you are in Cebu, you better check this one out. It's Ogie Alcasid's show at the Terraces!


Ngayon at Kailanman : A Tribute to George Canseco


About the Album

A recipient of five gold records, three platinum records, and three double platinum records, Filipino singer, songwriter and composer, Ogie Alcasid will be performing live at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu. Ogie will be serenading songs from his latest album for 2010, "Ngayon at Kailanman : A Tribute to George Canseco." Produced by Platinum producer Ito Rapadas, the tribute album includes the late master songwriter's classics "Ikaw", "Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo", "Kaibigan", "Paano Kita Malilimutan", "Ngayon at Kailanman", the carrier single "Yakap" and many more. Listen to this treasure trove of immortal classics enhanced and beautifully interpreted by the soothing and emotional vocal performance of Ogie Alcasid. A truly inspiring tribute to the artistic legacy of George Canseco.

George Canseco was a prolific composer, lyricist, songwriter - one of the greatest the music industry has ever produced. He started writing songs when he was 20 and had written about 300 songs, some of these movie themes and ballads that are now considered OPM classics. Canseco's music career spanned almost four decades and his compositions were interpreted by the country's top recording artists like Basil Valdez, Kuh Ledesma, Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Pilita Corrales, Dulce, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Leah Navarro, Martin Nievera among other top singers. Canseco received five Lifetime Achievement honors from Katha, the Philippine Association of the Record Industry’s Awit Awards and the Star Awards.

Ogie Alcasid has been in the entertainment industry of music, TV and movies for more than 20 years and still, he is consistently regarded as one of the most successful celebrities in the business. His compositions, whether sung by other singers or himself, are certified hits. His albums (20 all in all) have received platinum and gold certifications and all of his concerts here and abroad were sold-out, proving that many of the listeners and viewers love his brand of romantic music. Who can forget Ogie's classic hits like " Bakit Ngayon ka Lang", "Nandito Ako" and "Sa Kanya"? Despite all the success and controversies he received and has gone through, Ogie has stayed as humble and prolific as ever. Ogie is a regular of GMA-7's top rating shows like "Party Pilipinas", "Hole In The Wall", "Show Me Da Manny" and "Bubble Gang".


September 17, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 61 - Birds Discussion, Nell and Her Bird

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Birds Discussion
  • Poem - Nell and Her Bird
  • Grouping and Classifying
  • Differences and Likenesses
  • Motions
Getting ready for the discussion

Reading about Nell and her Bird
Looking for the different item from the group
Grouping his toys and the 4th different one
Looking for the different Humpty Dumpty face


September 16, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 60 - Lessons Recall, Four Shapes Review

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Lessons Recall
  • Four Shapes Review
  • Big and Little
  • Recalling Rhymes
  • What Does Little Birdie Say
  • Playing Songs with Instruments

Throughout the lessons, we already made several instruments like the tom tom drum, a maraca or shaker, a stringed box. He has brought in a few instruments for this Lesson like his new guitar and the piano app on iPad.
Dabby getting ready with what instruments he had.
Instead of the usual dots counting, we used an activity on one of his plenty preschool books.
Helping the frog across the pond
He was barely listening for this and I understand it may be because he had terrible cough at this time. No pressure though.

He needs more attention on this activity since he barely listened to me.


Scanning through his book to find a poem to review.
Time to play our musical instruments. We had a fun family session using his toys.

Daddy on the guitar
Dabby on the shaker
And on the guitar
And on the piano

September 15, 2010

Homeschooling: Lesson 59 - Naming Musical Instruments, Imitating Sounds

Covered topics / activities today:
  • Naming Musical Instruments
  • Imitating Sounds
  • Matching Items
  • Recalling Stories
  • Maraca
Writing his name
Hmm... progress or not?

Counting time!
He knows the name of most musical instrument on his app.
What is that again?
Recalling the story details of "The Singing Lesson"

Matching related items from stories
Matching second column to third