World Space Week Philippines

In celebration of the 17th World Space Week, 12 public and private high schools in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal and Laguna participated in the first ever CanSat launch competition which was held at the UPLB-CTTE grounds in Los Baños, Laguna. Annually celebrated every month of October, the World Space Week is commemorated to provide a venue for students and educators to learn more about space science and its benefits to humankind as declared by the UN General Assembly in 1999. This year's celebration follows the theme "Discovery" and will feature deep space exploration such as the discoveries of new galaxies, exoplanets, asteroids and comets.

Launched in August this year, the Can Satellite Competition aims to entice students to go into space science studies by letting them experience actual satellite development process, launching, data collection and transmission, and mission data analysis that will teach them the basics of weather forecasting.

There was also a water rocket competition wherein my little boy Ivan, did not satisfy himself by being a mere observer. He was allowed to try himself to do a water rocket launch with the help of my friendly officemates, Jules and Anton.

He also got amazed by a mini-plane flying demo by some Filipino experts like Dr. Rogel Sese, who is one of the Philippine experts when it comes to space education program.

The week event concluded with Grace Christian High School emerging as the grand winner. Second place is Philippine Science High School (main campus), third Makati Science High School. They will represent the country to this year 's APRSAF Water Rocket Event to be held in Bali, Indonesia. Congratulations to the future space and aero engineers of the Philippines!

Unboxing the Kahone Arts and Crafts Box

Got this very intriguing box from Play Date Soon event.

While still riding the bus on our way back, my little boy Ivan would like to readily open it but I requested him to wait until we got home which he agreed.

So upon reaching home, while I am still busy settling all out things, he got himself busy with the Kahone box and he was so surprised getting all of these.

Inside the box were various activity crafts sealed individually in plastic cases. What we got was the October box and accordingly the month’s theme is “Around the World”. There were descriptions and step-by-step instructions for each activity.

Ivan was so excited and he seems had difficulty deciding which one to do first. He even told me if he can do all of them tonight, LOL! So I had to explain that each craft should be done one at a time daily so that he can fully understand and enjoy himself doing it.

So his very first project was the necklace made out of macaroni noodles. He had the noodles painted individually with the provided poster color. Afterwards, he stringed each one of them. And voila! A very colorful necklace for MommyGiay.

HOW IT WORKS!

What is a Kahone? Kahone is a monthly subscription themed activity box that was created out of passion for some hands-on fun that promotes learning as well. Each box contains all the materials and instructions for 3 – 4 activities revolving about one theme that a parent and a child can do together.

Ivan's finished project from October Kahone Box

What’s great about it? A Kahone box is delivered to your doorstep monthly. It will save you time and effort going to the craft store and finding those interactive projects.

Want to give Kahone a try? Subscribe one now! You may begin with a single box purchase or sign up at the subscription options.

Visit their website for more details. You may also like and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

HAPPY UNBOXING FOR YOUR KAHONE BOX!

An Enjoyable Treat or Treat Experience at Nuvali

Trick or treating is an event my little boy always look forward to. Weeks before, we have to discuss what he will wear on that grand day. In the past years, he always opted for some cutie cartoon character costume like that of Mickey Mouse, Spiderman, the Pirate, or Iron Man. This time, he told me he wanted to try being scary, a kid vampire. And since we are on a budget, luckily I chanced upon a vampire cape at a thrift shop for P20.00 only (yeah! it was a great deal). For his tops, a Gap black long sleeve shirt with was a gift from my friend in Brunei. And for his pants, a hand-me down dark colored jogging pants. Anyway, I think it came out fine.

I had an invite from Saddleback Church Manila located in Nuvali Sta. Rosa (Laguna) for their halloween event. Going to Nuvali, we took a van ride at SM Calamba Transport terminal. Before going there, Ivan did some store hopping to collect some treats.

Since it was still early when we arrived at Nuvali, again some store rounds. There were also craft sessions for kids, free twisted balloons and lots and lots of candy treats. Krispy Kreme gave out free doughnut, Ivan liked it and munched it immediately, ha!ha!

Ok, so after all the treating, we headed to Monochrome Nuvali for Blocktober, its a halloween party organized by Saddleback Church Manila. Registration for the event only costs P100.00 (good for 2 persons). Upon signing-up you will be given a passport which is the ticket to avail of the various games, rides and amenities plus a raffle.

My little boy was so amazed with this event and he just wanted to try all the games and rides especially the inflatable slides where he kept on coming back. He also braved the wall climb but midway he stopped. When he got down, I asked him "why did you stop? he replied mommy I am afraid of heights". So funny, I remembered it was a dialogue from Planes movie. They also gave out loot bag containing candies and toy prizes. Best of all was the magic and puppet show by no less than Kuya Ruther Urquia, a grand finalist of Pilipinas Got Talent (a local talent search contest).

with Pastor Narry Santos of Saddleback Church

treats . . . loots . . . candies . . . toys . . . third eye!

It was near dusk when we headed back home. We had a long and truly enjoyable day. I am just so fulfilled when I made my little boy Ivan happy.

A Blessed Palm Sunday

I promised myself that I will bring back my little boy in Naga City when he turn 7 years old and if possible it will be during the Penafrancia Feast. That's because I think by then, he will be able to tolerate the long travel when he is older enough.

But since hubby surprised us with a vacation, the Bicol visit was made earlier. We arrived here Friday night, and yesterday we just stayed home the whole day getting busy with family and friends celebrating my SIL's graduation.

Just in time, its Palm Sunday today, so before we went around Naga City, we visited the Basilica Minore first and foremost so at least I can still fulfill my promise.

My little boy Ivan with the Basilica priest who officiated the Palm  Sunday mass we attended

The Basilica Minore located at Balatas Road, Naga City is home for the Image of Our Lady of Penafrancia. The basilica was fully constructed in September 1981.  On May 22, 1982, no less than the late, His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin officiated the solemn inauguration and dedication.

in front of the Basilica Minore

The Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia is being celebrated in during the 3rd Saturday and Sunday every September of the year.  It is when millions of Bicolanos and even non-Bicolanos who are devotees of INA flock Naga City in Camarines Sur to pay honor to the Virgin of Penafrancia, miraculous patroness of the Bicol Region. 

Agri-Farm Tour in Batangas

It was a sunny morning, thanks the rain which had been bothering me for days had totally stopped.  Today, with my little boy Ivan we headed to Batangas for a road trip with no one else but the TRTs, hooray!

Our first stop is the rabbit farm located in Padre Garcia, Batangas.  The Robby Rabbitry (MoCa Farm) Farm own by Miss Gigi Morris and his American husband, which they managed along with their two little boys is an advocate of  promoting to raise farm-grown rabbits.

The farm houses almost 200 heads of organic-fed rabbits, and they supply rabbit meat to several restaurants in Metro Manila.  Rabbit meat isn't yet a popular delicacy in the Philippines and still classified as exotic food. But mind you nothing to scare with eating rabbit meat, it is as delicious and tasty as chicken meat, more so if they are organic grown.

We had real fun cuddling the rabbits, they are so cutey and their furs are so smooth.  How I wish we can immediately take home those rabbits and let them jump on our bed, LOL. Ivan was not even afraid holding pretty Princess, the female rabbit. Most of the rabbits have their own names and the Morris kids really knew and recognizes each of them by heart.  So its more than farming, its just like having a household of pets.

Other than rabbit, the farm has pigs, chicken, turkeys, fishes (tilapia), earthworms (imagine that!) and I've tried holding those earthly creatures.  These are being cultured for soil production which are being used to nourish their herbs and vegetables.

As we go around and spending more time in the farm, I come to think and grasp the idea that Miss Gigi Morris is trying to convey, "going back to the basic".  In here, the animals are fed with their self-grown plants thus minimize the use of chemical feeds nor vaccines.  The plants are grown without the need for fertilizers nor pesticides.

I think, this is what I would like to do also on my retirement years when little Ivan has fully grown up and on his own way. With a small piece of land,which we now have in the province, I can take care of some animals and grow some plants as well.

Well, this is it! The Rabbit Robbitry Farm also offers "Weekend Family Package Tour".  This is where the whole family can stay and experience farm living.  They have quarters fully furnished with beds and beddings. Minus the airconditioner, you can get real fresh air just by opening the windows.  The room is very comfy because the walls are made from "sawali" with "nipa" roofings.  The time we were there, there was supposed to be a food demo activity which we missed because most of us opted to relax on these beds and eventually fall asleep.

They also have a "tree house" which the kids like my little boy enjoys going up and down, a mini basketball court, a wooden swing hanging on a tree and their very own deep well.

Beach resorts are just a few minutes away, so if you are done and tired with your farm adventure you can escape and head to the nearest one.

We were welcomed with "blue ternate" and "roselle" drinks.  These are local drinks made from fresh edible flowers. For our morning snack, we also had "suman tamales" and ripe mangoes. 

For lunch, nothing but rabbit meat.  Its my first time to eat a rabbit and honestly it was not a nasty experience, its just like eating chicken. We had "blue rice", the rice washings are dipped with the blue flowers, thus the name.

After our siesta, we headed to our next farm adventure, this time its an spicy one.

View more photos of our agri-farm tour HERE.

Visit The Rabbit Robbitry Farm on Facebook for more exciting farm updates.
email: staff @mocafarm.com
website: www.mocafarm.com
contact no. 0919-4790566


How to get there: MoCa Farm (The Rabbit Robbitry) is located in Brgy. Castillo, Padre Garcia, Batangas.  Take SLEX all the way to STAR - exit Lipa.  Take P. Torres St. (this is the only tricky part because of some rerouting in Lipa) all the way to intersection going to Rosario and Tiaong. Turn left and take the one going to Tiaong (Batangas/Quezon Road).  When you reach Brgy. Castillo - on your right, keep an eye for the Generoso Trading (ricemill).  Afterwhich, there is a small waiting shed, turn right. Take that road, 500 meters away you'll find a small farm with several mango trees.

From Laguna, you can take the Maharlika Road to Tiaong, Quezon and take the road to San Antonio/Lipa. Padre Garcia is the next town after San Antonio, if coming from Tiaong.

Humming Beautifully with Humming Bread

When my little boy Ivan celebrated his 4th birthday, he requested for a Thomas inspired birthday cake.  So me and my sister DIY a cake for him.

Just few weeks ago, I bumped into mommy Grace in our online support group, the Avenue for Mommies Online (AMO).  She is the proud owner of Humming Bread, and she recently created this very nice Thomas cake.  

When Ivan saw this cake, he asked me if he can again have a Thomas on his next birthday and specifically he want this one.

Humming bread is a creator of custom cakes, be it a wedding cake, a christening cake, a child's party theme, a corporate event or an adults hobby.  They can tailor the cakes according to the clients' specifications.

Here are some of her very beautiful creations.

Cake flavors are vanilla, dark chocolate, carrot, red velvet, banana, butterpound and mocha.  Buttercream fillings are: vanilla, chocolate, white chocolate, mocha, cookies and cream, premium fillings, chocolate ganache and white chocolate ganache.

To know more about Humming Bread you can like their Facebook Page and visit their website.

Note: photos are used with permission from the owner.

Another Episode of Bronchitis

Sad to say my little boy Ivan was hospitalized for the third time due to "acute bronchitis".

The very first time, he was only 10 weeks old, just almost newly-born and my heart ached a lot seeing him with IV on his foot.  I was crying all the time because hubby is also not with us as he is working overseas.

The second hospitalization was when he was 4 months and the same diagnosis.

Just yesterday we were discharged on a 4-day stint at the hospital.  Come Saturday morning he was having severe and continuous coughing and he told me he wanted to see "lolo Regal", he meant his pediatrician Dr. Herminio Regal of Calamba Medical Center.  

When its our turn for the medical check-up, his pedia readily told me I don't like the sound of his coughing and after a through checking I was told he needs confinement.  Without need for another doctor's opinion whatever, we went back home to get our things and seek hospital admission.

There was a long wait at the hospital emergency room, as it was full of patients mostly dengue cases. It took us three (3) hours waiting time to have our ward room.  Private rooms are not even available so we settled for the ward.

still joyous after finger prick

Ivan cried for a while when the nurse put IV on him but he readily settled, though I knew he was sad because his movement then become limited.

What is Bronchitis?

What I searched on the web. Bronchitis is inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs.  Bronchitis may be short-lived (acute) or chronic meaning that it lasts a long time and often recurs.  In the case of my son, he was diagnosed with "acute bronchitis", the very same disease condition from years back.

Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. This means that bacteria infect the airways in addition to the virus.  

People at-risk for acute bronchitis include: the elderly, infants, and young children; persons with heart or lung disease; smokers

Prognosis: For acute bronchitis, symptoms usually go away within 7 to 10 days if you do not have an underlying lung disorder.  However, a dry hacking cough can linger for a number of months.

Complications:  Pneumonia can develop from either acute or chronic bronchitis.  If you have chronic bronchitis, you are more likely to develop recurrent respiratory infections.

I am glad my son's condition improved within a few days. During the hospital stay, he consumed 2 bags of IV, was on routine nebulization and antibiotics. On the 4th day, we were given notice of discharge by his pediatrician.  Ivan was so happy knowing we can already go home.  He told me he misses his cousins.  Also he needs to go back to school ASAP because his teacher might be looking for her.

Today I decided not to let him go back to school yet as he may still needs some rest.  I called up their school administrator to inform them why he was absent and gosh! I was told tomorrow is the first day of their first periodical examination.  I may need to start reviewing him for his lessons.

He was still on continuous medication and we're going to have a follow-up check-up in a week time.  Hopefully he will soon fully recover, it hurts mommygiay when her little boy is sick.

He loves Whea-Gee

I discovered this brand when we attended a mommy-kiddie event. Whea-Gee is a chewable tablet made of wheat grass and colostrum.

photo taken from Whea-Gee FB album

ABOUT WHEA-GEE:

Wheatgrass in Whea-Gee Chewables cleanses, alkalizes and nourishes the body because nutrients alone aren't enough to prevent health problems from cropping up.


Wheatgrass Cleanses: it has the highest Chlorophyll content among other greens which detoxifies the blood, promotes blood production and helps heal wounds.


Wheatgrass Alkalizes: It contains more alkaline minerals than most vegetables.  Chlorophyll in wheatgrass is rich in magnesium and oxygen which helps counter excess acidity from processed foods and other unhealthy foods that your children eat.


Wheatgrass Nourishes: it's a SUPERFOOD" with 13 vitamins, 10 minerals, 17 amino acids, chlorophyll and fiber, and more than 100 types of enzymes which the body needs to function efficiently. Wheatgrass has important nutrients easily absorbed by the body which help your children achieve healthier skin, good eyesight and strong immune system.


COLOSTRUM boosts your children's growth and defenses to the next level.


Colostrum, known as the first food for new life, contains nature's perfect balance of Immune Factors and Essential Nutrients that protect your children from diseases and support their optimal growth and development.

I am glad I've found this product. My little boy Ivan now regularly takes it everyday.  Initially, he does not like the taste because it really has a green after-taste but it is supplemented by the milky taste and strawberry flavor.  He likes it so much that he almost wanted to chew one every now and then.

What I observed lately, he has increased appetite and rarely gets even the simple coughs and colds despite the erratic weather that we are always experiencing right now. 


Each bottle contains 90 pieces chewable tablet and costs P950.00.  


Visit and like them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Wheagee.

Meet the Robot Animals

As a mom, I always wanted something that will gonna make my little boy Ivan happier.  Some days ago, indeed it was another fulfilling moment when we had the opportunity to be among the first moms and kids who were given chance to visit for the first time, the Robot Zoo.

All the kids including my little boy Ivan are eagerly waiting for the announcement when the doors will open.

Waiting in line, Ivan was so behaved and he's really following and listening to all instructions.

The very first robot animal that greeted us at the entrance was the Robot Giraffe. Its head and neck stretched to almost 9 feet.

Robot Giraffe

The Robot Rhinoceros is still under construction

ROBOT RHINO - The robot rhino is a large, heavy beast like a real white rhino. On its head and neck, instead of leathery skin, the robot has flexible, studded armour for protection. White rhinos have two horns.  Which one is longer? The horn is constructed of a bunch of fibres, like the mass of hairlike keratin that makes up a real rhino horn.

Robot Platypus

ROBOT PLATYPUS - The robot's webbed front feet have two roles. With the flaps turned back, the claws stick out enabling a platypus to dig a burrow in a riverbank. With the webbing extended, the front feet are powerful paddles for swimming, while the back feet and tail act as rudders.

Robot Grasshopper

ROBOT GRASSHOPPER - Like all insects, a grasshopper has six legs. The robot's two rear legs are specialized for jumping, while the front two pairs are for walking.  Using its large powerful rear legs, a grasshopper can make gigantic leaps into the air. It can jump 20 times its length, or the equivalent of a 6-foot human leaping a 12-storey building.

Robot Giant Squid

ROBOT GIANT SQUID - Imagine an 18 meter animal that wrestles with whales. The giant squid uses a multidirectional nozzle to propel itself through the deep black seas where they live, probably all around the world. The squid's huge eyes as well as your eyes do and help it find food in the dim light.

Robot Bat

ROBOT BAT - Bats are the only flying mammal. A bat's wings are made of flexible skin flaps stretched between incredibly long fingers. The finger's on the robot's wings are lightweight tubes. The material between the tubes act like a hang-glider sail, stretching back to the hind legs and tails.

Robot House Fly

ROBOT HOUSE FLY - Try to catch a fly and you'll find out just how fast it moves. With large compound eyes made up of thousands of separate "eyelets" a fly sees you move and it's gone. The robot's wings are moved by fast-acting pistons and supported by lightweight struts.  In a real fly, a complex system of muscles moves the wings.

Robot Chameleon

ROBOT CHAMELEON - The robot chameleon has the ability to blend into its surroundings. Its mini-computer brain sends a signal to the video screens to change their appearance. But sometimes a chameleon wants to be seen. When it meets another chameleon its colors shine bright as a warning to stay away or an invitation to mate.

Trying to be a chameleon via the camouflage wall.

The Robot Zoo gives families interactive science fun while celebrating love for learning and bonding over witnessing how the magic of nature comes to life in the form of the marvelous robot animals featured in the exhibit.

The Robot Zoo is located at the 2nd Floor of the Science Discovery Center Exhibit Hall. For more information, you may visit the Science Discovery Center website and their Facebook Page or you may call (02)556-0331 or (02)556-2193.