We joined the Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club, Postal Heritage Walking Tour organized by Mr. Lawrence Chan, held every third Sunday of the month. The free walking tour made me appreciate, the glorious history of Manila as depicted in stamps.

One of the focus areas visited were the Metropolitan Museum, now undergoing repairs through the efforts of the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission chaired by Mayor Alfredo Lim.

The Postal Museum and Library, located within the Manila Central Post Office compound. It showcases the country’s rich collection of stamps, postal relics, stamp magazines and Philatelic Bulletin.It is opened Monday to Friday  (8am- 5pm). Contact person is Ms Nena De Guzman Tel # 527-00-96.

Another tour area is Aduana, popularly known as the Customs House in early years.

I also appreciated the presence of many statues in the Manila area, namely Andres Bonicacio at Liwasang Bonifacio, the Queen Isabel II Monument near the NPC building, statue of King Philip II in Plaza Espana infront of the Aduana buiding, Plaza Mexico with the life sized statue of President Adolfo Mateo of Mexico

Our last stop was Manila Cathedral, we as a family attended the Sunday mass.

It was memorable because, we had a complete family day in the sense we had a common time for each other, walking tour, Sunday mass and finally had dinner in one of our favorite restaurants.

Thank you to the Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club, most specially to Mr. Lawrence Chan, for making our family day meaningful, rich in heritage and family bonding.

The Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club, Postal Heritage Walking Tour is held every third Sunday of the month. You can contact Mr Lawrence Chan through his email at  l_rence_2006@yahoo.com.

If you are a stamp enthusiast or  fond of collecting anything from old records to old documents, you might also want to join their auction held at the Postal Museum and Library coinciding with the walking tour. No fees are collected.

Simbang gabi with a twist, attended the last “simbang gabi” in Kapamgpangan  held at San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor, Pampanga with Jeric, and Dianne for the Eden Keso de Gallo. The traditional Misa de Gallo, was highlighted with a featured dish  “Cheesy Squash Puto “ which was served as a treat to the churchgoers after the mass.

San Guillermo Parish, Bacolor, Pampanga

Kraft Eden Cheese aimed to bring back the joy and faith of Filipinos during this festive occasion.  The well-loved cheese brand launched the Keso de Gallo - a nationwide event coinciding with the traditionally celebrated Misa de Gallo (a Catholic Christmas tradition wherein nine dawn masses are held starting December 16, which will culminate on Christmas Eve).

Parallel to the nine-day Simbang Gabi, Eden brought the goodness of Filipino dishes to Pinoys in nine different towns including Bacolod City, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, Naga, Butuan City, Laoag and Pampanga.

At least 300 “kabalens” enjoyed the “Cheesy Squash Puto” a recipe done by pupils from the San Matias Elementary School in Pampanga.

Kraft Eden Cheese Squash Puto

Squash Puto (Pampanga)

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cup squash, cooked and mashed

3 ¼ cup all purpose flour, sifted

1 ½ cup washed sugar

4 tbsp baking powder

1 bar Eden Cheese

½ cup margarine, melted

1 ½ cup butter milk

8 pcs. eggs, medium, beaten

1 tbsp. vanilla

2 cups water

Procedure:

1. Combine all dry ingredients together.
2. Make a well at the center and add the liquid ingredients.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Add smashed squash and grated cheese. Mix well.
5. Pour mixture in a molder.
6. Steam for 45 minutes.

“With Eden cheese, we will explore the wonders of our country’s cuisine while providing an extended feast that will bring joy and delight to as many families as possible,” says Alex Tacderas, Category Marketing Manager for Cheese and Spoonables, Kraft Foods Philippines.

For more recipe with Eden Cheese, visit http://www.sarapngbuhay.com.

P.S

This Christmas I had the chance to connect to the roots of my DAD this Christmas. Attending mass said in  Kapampangan dialect  and reminiscing the culture and traditions of Kapampangan during Christmas. How I wish I were fluent in the dialect.

Thanks to Kraft Eden Cheese, and Keso de Gallo, I felt my Christmas was complete. The Keso de Gallo  in San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor Pampanga event will be in our memories for a long time.

The Keso de Gallo experience was our topic during the family gathering we had on Christmas Day.

One afternoon, my son and I decided to go to Luneta (Rizal Park) to stroll. I brought my backpack with cold water, an umbrella, hand towel and a camera and off we go. It was a spur of the moment decision on our part; for the plan was really to go to Fort Santiago. But because of a political rally that day somewhere in Manila, there was a monstrous traffic jam, so instead we went to Luneta.

I braised the long walk from Lapu Lapu Monument, to Rizal Monument, from the Quirino Grandstand trekking Roxas Boulevard, where we sat at the bay to watch the famous sunset at Manila Bay. We were taking pictures along the way.

I have lots of memorable times at Luneta. The only family picnic that we had as a family with my Dad and Mom happened in the place.

One of the last place that we visited as a family was also there, my kids were below 10 years old at that time and that was the last time we visited Luneta.

I remembered during my high school days with my friends, we walked the stretch of then Dewey Boulevard now Roxas Boulevard from the US Embassy to the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It was a long, long walk for us. That was more than 30 years ago and through this day, its still one of the most memorable time for my high school gang.

After the long walk, and we visited Malate Catholic Church, and had merienda at Max’s restaurant facing Manila Bay.

Try this walk one afternoon, it will bring back memories and it was great bonding time with Jeric. It not heavy on the budget, and it’s an alternative to malls.

The Philippine Nurses Association Building is located at 1663 F.T Benitez St, Malate Manila

If you are From Monumento or any LRT route ,Take the LRT Line 1

• Alight at Pedro Gil Station,
• You will see the Petron Gas Station and from there take a jeep with the sign board Sta Ana or Paco.
• But If you are with your friends , you can actually walk in going to PNA, cross the street and you’ll see Red Ribbon
• You will pass by Red Ribbon, walk through, until you see another stop light and Petron Station
• Pass the Petron station is F Benitez Street , turn righ,t walk , pass by the Iglesia ni Cristo church
• Next to INC is the PNA building with the signboard Pambansang Samahan ng Mga Nurse ng Pilipinas

If from Makati or Guadalupe Area

• Take the Guadalupe- Tulay – Paco jeeps and alight directly at F. Benitez street. remember it has a stop light and Petron Station.
• FX cars are available also that ply the route going to Robinsons Place Manila, alight at Pedro Gil St and walk.

From Morayta or Espana Area

• You can take LRT again to reach Pedro Gil or ride a jeep with signboard Pasay taft and alight at Pedro Gil Station

NOTE: The PNA is only open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

...Teacher Anna...

Pocketful of Kids , the very first toy village in the Philippines is opening on October 25, 2008. The toy store carries only top-of-the-line developmental toys from reputable American and European brands.

Learning Resources, Educational Insights (Hot Dots pens, Playfoam and GeoSafari), Alex, Tatiri,

Melissa & Doug (Number One in wooden educational toys in the US)

Pocketful of Kids allows children to try out and experience the featured branded toys; there are also books (from Fully Booked), health food section, and playground with a “Know It All Tree” (a lighted talking tree).

From 0 to 99 years old, from simple colorful blocks to complex puzzles, Pocketful of Kids would have something for you! Pocketful of Kids toys can enhance a child to be :

Word Smart , People Smart, Music Smart, Nature Smart, Picture Smart, Number Smart, Body Smart

POCKETFUL OF KIDS encourages children to wonder, discover and learn through play.
POCKETFUL OF KIDS PLAYING AND LEARNING PUT TOGETHER!
Visit 15th Floor Strata 2000, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas
Tel # (02) 634-7888 or (02) 634-2888.

Store Hours: 10:00 AM – 7 :00 pm
email : pocketfulofkids@yahoo.com

Notes on Play:

Play, often described as “ the work of children”… is any voluntary activity engaged in for the purpose of enjoyment… it is not something a child does when he or she has nothing else to do , it is something the child has to do.
-Adele Pillitteri, PhD, RN, PNP
Author of the Maternal and Child Health Nursing

From being an infant, toddler, preschooler and school-age children, play is as an integral part of their life. Even if one reached adulthood, we want to play, we always feel at ease after we play. How can one forget his or her first toy? I will always remember my first “walking doll” given to me by my “lola”. Up to this time I would always recall how I played with it, how I used to change her dresses, combed her curly hair etc.

I enjoyed being a passenger in any automobile, it feels like a cradle at times, especially when the aircon is so cold and music is relaxing. When we were kids, my uncle would always tagged as along and have a have a “joy ride” in his car along Dewey Boulevard now Roxas Boulevard.

Nowadays, as I passenger, I’m a bit bored along the road . I passed the stretch of Edsa 4x a week from Edsa Extension to Monumento, either by MRT, taxi, or private car. To kill boredom, I used to memorize all the billboards along every intersection. 4 years ago, Kris Aquino was the Queen of EDSA, from Monumento to Magallanes, she used to have a billboard advertisement in every intersection. I do not know who are the queen and King of EDsa Billboards; it is a toss between Actress Judy Ann Santos , Dawn Zulueta and Actor Richard Gutierrez. However, nobody can beat Kris Aquino then.

I’m excited about the Manila Outdoor Gallery Art Route a project of the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP). It aims to display artworks from 10 of the most promising Filipino artists along key locations across the metro, in support of the ongoing international movement rallying for nature conservation. Painting and photographs depicting varied interest will be placed along South Luzon Expressway , North Luzon Expressway and EDSA.

Here’s a glimpse of the biggest outdoor gallery in Asia.

One of the most exciting but relaxing summer vacations we had was in Laiya, San Juan Batangas, a place 70 kms south of Manila known for its white sand beaches.

We made no reservations for our overnight stay and true enough all the beach resorts were fully booked for it was a Saturday. We were so stressed looking for a place to stay , all I though was that we would go back to Manila.

A friend saved our day and advised us to go back to San Juan town proper and check in at Bahay Marikit, 20 minutes drive from Laiya. Good enough it turned out to be a wise decision on our part. Check this hotel resort it’s a cozy, quiet place clean rooms and economical too. Family room was priced at P 3500.00 which could accommodate 6-8 persons.We ordered dinner and retreat to our Italian inspired room , actually good for eight persons, private bath and shower, nice white towels. Included in our accommodation was American breakfast and free use of the swimming pool. We dipped in the pool for an hour and out we go to dive at the beach at Laiya San Jua Batangas.

My kids and I had a sumptuous lunch at Naranja Orange Restaurant, managed and owned by Mrs Racquel Reano, its located at Gen. Luna St, Poblacion San Juan Batangas . The place is an old antique house , with a touch of something old to suit a restaurant. We had their famous chicken orange, pinakbet, sisig, bulalo, own concocted lemon cold tea. Immediately, we concentrated on the act of consuming what was laid before us. Never miss Naranja Orange restaurant, prices are so affordable, servers are so accommodating and no parking hassle like in Manila. Perfect place to eat lunch with family and friends.

 
After our lunch we, headed to Doña Nena Beach Resort . It was Sunday and only a few people are at the beach. My kids did not waste their time to enjoy the water and the sand. What I loved about this beach is the presence of mangrove in the area, trees, particularly neem and coconut trees. Not so many people around, quiet and clean environment .Suited for family reunions, company outings with overnight acommodations. Food catering is served by Orange Naranja restaurant. Contact Mrs Racquel Reano, (0917-3733-113) for catering services in San Juan Batangas.

Our one night stay at San Juan Batangas turned out to be nice, much more, to what we have expected. We realy want to go back again and spend at least two nights to savor the beach and food.

More pictures…