From the Mommy Mundo Facebook Page
WHAT: PREGNANT PAUSE 2
WHEN: February 4, 2012 from 1-5PM
WHERE: UCC Rockwell, Makati
HOW? Reserve your slot now by emailing info@mommymundo.com, text 09178162524 or call 570-7827. Limited slots available!
Exclusive to expectant moms and dads:)
As we welcome the new year with equally pretty and loud fireworks on the eve of January 1, I was kind of happy and sad with what 2012 may bring.
I was pretty happy with the fact that I have more time to spend here in the Philippines. Just a bit sad with the thought when that day comes that we have to go and leave for greener pastures.
There is also a sense of contentment in my heart now, that it does not break into a gazillion pieces when Sky calls me “Dad” or “Papi” every now and then. However, with that said, there is a hint of sadness that there is but little hope for D and I to be at least friends again – even if it was just for his son.
Mostly, I am extremely happy for 2011 paving the direction for me this coming 2012 that will bring both Sky and I to a place where God wants us to be.
Here’s to a Fruitful and Blessed 2012 for everyone!
What’s in store for us this coming 2012?
This is Sky’s second school field trip and hands down the funnest time we’ve had ever.
But I have to tell you that I wasn;t really jumping for joy when I had to pay an extra 1K for myself and just thinking of being in a BUS full of 4-5 year old BOYS was going to be one BIG headache for me.
Our Itinerary was:
6:30AM – Assembly time at school
7:00AM – Depart for Pizza Hut, Bluewave, Macapagal
9:30AM – Depart for Seriland inside Manila Ocean Park
12:00NN – LUNCH wherever
1:00 – Science Centrum at Marikina
3:30PM – ETA at school
Needless to say, we never got to follow the schedule. With 6 buses all in all of small crazy boys (and a handful of dainty girls) is indeed more than a handful to take care of.
I didn’t know what I was thinking. But I had enough food to last Sky and I for an overnight trip to the boondocks. So, I was carrying a backpack, a cooler and a small lunch bag; which are not so big, but kind of weighed like a ton when I was waiting for us to board the bus.
Because of the excitement the eve of the fieldtrip, both of us didn’t get much sleep. So, as soon as we boarded the bus and ate some of the cut-up peanut butter we had. We got ourselves settled and was ready to take a nap all the way to the destination. And then…
“OKAAAAYYYYY KIDDS! HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS MORNING?!!! C’MON LET’s SING THE ALPHABET!!!”
Holy crap. I wanted to grab Sky and hurl ourselves out the window. It’s an hour and a half drive and don’t tell me you’re going to talk all the way! Please HAVE MERCY!
Sky looked equally disturbed as I was with the screeching voice that was the tour operator. But, at the same time he was so sleepy he couldn’t care less and fell into deep sleep in a matter of minutes.
I, on the other hand, stuck my ever-reliable ipod and blasted the music to help drown out that screeching voice. And then, I was gone…
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We got to Bluewave around 8:30AM. And the kid’s made their own pizza, while donned in a complete chef’s outfit. Even the mommies and daddies got their own outfits and pizza’s too!
The waiting for the pizza to cook was the boring part. We waited for our own custom-made pizza in the bus. It was 10:30AM when we got it, and it was also then that we proceeded to the next venue.
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SERILAND.
We’ve been going back at Manila Ocean Park twice this year. And I never thought of bringing Sky into that part of the ocean complex. Well, because it looked LAME.
Or so I thought.
There were 4 “lands” inside Seriland. There was the Trick Art room where everything is painted like it was in 3D, which for some weird reason the kids went crazy posing for pictures when they saw the images inside.
And then the 3D Cinema plus, where we watched a 10-minute Dinosaur show. For most part, I think the kids just loved being with their classmates and liked scaring each other inside the dark theatre.
Next one, was the Fantasy world; which is an indoor playground where you can let the animals in your boys roam free-like crazy.
Last one was the mirror maze, where we wore white gloves and had to find the exit on our own. And Sky found the exit in less than 5 minutes… So, he went back inside to join in the rouse inside the mirror maze.
We were in Seriland for two hours. It really felt like a half marathon of sorts. And we were ravenously hungry by the time we got in the bus.
And our lunch was gone in a matter of minutes. Pretty soon the boys were playing again.
We left Seriland at 2:00PM. From Manila, we trudged over Marikina at the Science Centrum.
The Science centrum was awesomely big. We only got to stay there for an hour and a half. I have to admit that I was pretty impressed with this hands-on museum. Sky was EVERYWHERE. He didn’t know where to begin. He would jump from one contraption over the other, and another and then back again to another.
I can see that maniacal ecstatic look in his eyes everytime he tries out one of the gadgets. And I bet that going inside a BUBBLE was dream come true for him.
Suddenly, I didn’t feel tired at all. And I was running alongside him when he wants to check out something with me.
We had a spectacular time!
When it was time to go. He started crying and bawling.
“I don’t want to leave yet MOM! I want to STAY HERE!”
I carried him and kept reassuring him that we’ll come back to Science centrum again. And we’ll spend the whole day discovering together.
It’s been a week since that field trip and I know I have to keep that promise REAL SOON! 
In case you’re wondering, we got back home at 5:45PM and we were both ASLEEP by 8:00PM! Kasayang-kapagod
I highly recommend both Seriland and the Science Centrum as one of the best places you can bring your kid’s in Manila.
Visit Seriland’s Facebook page here and read more about Science centrum’s website here.
I rarely have a free Sunday morning. Letting myself sleep in a bit last Sunday was quite a treat. But, you know how itchy these feet are when I find myself with nothing to do.
At 9:30AM last Sunday, my parents, my sister and I trooped over at the nearby Sidcor Sunday Market at Eton Centris. It turns out that this was the exact Sunday market that used to be at the Lung Center of the Philippines. However, the Sidcor Sunday market was way BIGGER, way CLEANER and really ORGANIZED – given the sheer number of stalls there.
I have yet to discover the MUST-TRY’s at the SIDCOR SUNDAY MARKET. But going there on a Sunday is a MUST-DO for sure.
There was an insane number of food stalls. You can come by early around 6:00-7:00AM for breakfast. Go around for two hours. Have a quick snack of ensaymada or fruit. Go around again. And have a full course lunch before you leave! There is a paella station there that RAN out of Paella by 10am – that is one food station that I will be visiting EARLY when I come back this coming Sunday.
There were fresh seafood available at the far end of the stalls. There were pretty looking lobsters and Curacha’s there. A kilo of ALIMANGO (Crab) was only Php330 to Php350 per kilo! Price depends if you get a female, male or “in-between” gendered crabs. The female variety is the most expensive – since it is packed with aligue (crab fat). The male ones do not have much aligue, but their meat is more tender. The “In-between” crab is a mix of the two, although the aligue is not as fatty than the females ones. It’s fat is more creamy and the meat really juicy… —> Okay, NOW I’m hungry!
Fresh produce, both organic and not was aplenty there. There is Paco leaves, which is great with itlog na maalat (red duck eggs) and vinegar. A variety of camote, beets and was able to buy a handful of Kamias! called “Iba” in Visayas.
I absolutely love knick-knacks! The Sidcor Sunday market did not disappoint me at all. We were able to buy some “daster” (house dress) for Apo. We were all kind of missing her, because we know how she loves going around weekend market’s like this one.
The dogs and cats for sale at the far corner of Centris was the icing on the cake last Sunday. They even sell cute pets here! The adorable dog pictured above was only priced at Php7,500.00… Not sure about the papers though. This little pup was definitely a heartbreaker… So, I had to let go – since I cannot afford get heartbroken again in 2011! —> Just kidding!
If you do find a free Sunday anytime soon, drop by the SIDCOR SUNDAY MARKET at the Eton Centris Walk, located at the corner of Quezon Avenue and EDSA in Quezon City. The market opens at 6:00AM and close shop at 2:00PM.
Don’t forget to bring your recyclable bag or bayong (and even a stroller) when you go there.
