...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…