Winnie the Pooh Theme 1st Birthday Party

Last March, mommy Tah (from Zamboanga) texted me to help her scout for a costume for her son's first bday.  After a series of shopping around to check the characters available, we ended up picking the classic Winnie the Pooh theme for the birthday party.  The pooh costume was not available in the malls here in the south area of the metro, but we did find one in Divisoria.  Since we were also working on a budget, all the other party favors had to be purchased from old reliable Divi.  Anyway, here's what we came out with.

Party hats from Divisoria Mall

Winnie the Pooh onesies from
168 mall Divisoria.
Its cotton and unpadded,
comfortable for a 1 year old,

The pooh coin purse for giveaways, lootbag and birthday banner we got
from Divisoria Mall

Not everything has to be bought for a party.  One great suggestion is to ask around from friends or relatives if they have party decors, cake topper/decors (like the one below) sitting around their shelves that they are willing to lend or perhaps give away.  You'll be surprised that they are more than willing to share their collected items especially if its for a baby's party.

The pooh cake topper here was sitting around the shelf of
Mommy Arlene.  I asked if she was willing to give it away, and she did!!!
Thanks Mommy Arlene!

The Happy Birthday candles were purchased from Japan Homecenter.

Here's how the cake and giveaway table looked like.

Finally, here's how the birthday celebrant looked like with his costume.
With him is cousin Nikko and Mommy Tah.

So that's it!  A Winnie the Pooh themed 1st birthday party!

We told Mommy Tah that shopping for baby Albreyn's birthday was such a pleasure 

and that we hoped they'd enjoy the party as much as we enjoyed shopping for her.

At the Phils vs. Canada 4th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

Last Saturday, March 23, 2013, my family availed of the buy 3 take 1 GOLD ticket for the last day of the 4th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition.  We arrived at the Mall of Asia grounds around 3:00pm and had to park at the 6th level parking area because the rest of the levels were already full.  We made a few stops on the way to the gate of the venue, stopping for popcorn, siopao and drinks.  Upon reaching the gate on the right side of the music hall at the IMAX wing, there was already a line for the VIP, GOLD and SILVER forming. We decided to fall in line and just wait.  It did not take long before the area became crowded with people lining up.

The gates opened at 5:00pm.  Making our way to the GOLD seaside area was a bit confusing for our part because there were barricades everywhere.  However, there were event security personnel everywhere to direct you where you want to go, so it wasn't so bad.  We made our way to the seaside area which had a good view of the barge where the fireworks were to be launched.  The best spots were already taken by families faster than us, but we managed to find a good enough spot to locate ourselves.  From then on...it was a long wait.  To kill time, we ate most of our baon, and whiffed in the beauty of the sunset.

The show was suppose to start at 7pm, the crowd became a bit restless when there was no sign that the show was to start anytime soon.  I figured that since its the last day of the competition, the organizers adjusted the start of the show so they can encourage more of the SM shoppers to watch...heheh!  

Anyway, the show started around 8pm.  Here are my photos of the show:

CANADA 

music from "How to Train your Dragon", Cirque de Soleil and What a Wonderful World

Oasis and stars

Electrifying burst of blue and gold.

Subtle blue.  A peaceful looking fireworks display.

PHILIPPINES

Electric Red

Confetti

I call this "CELEBRATION."

Ito ang pinakafavorite photo ko..."THE OASIS."

The show ended around 9:30pm.

Traffic was terrible on the way home.

___________________________________________________________

The winners of the competition are as follows:

1st place - UK

2nd place - China and Canada

3rd place - Finland

____________________________________________________________

We look forward to watching the 5th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition in 2014!

Summer Taekwondo Class 2013

Wednesday last week, on our way to Divisoria to do some shopping for my nephew's 1st bday, the family decided to drop by the Philippine Taekwondo Association Gym at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Complex to inquire about their summer program for Taekwondo.  The Philippine Taekwondo Association is the national governing body of taekwondo in the Philippines, so where else to get really good taekwondo lessons if not here.  We were told that classes resume after the Holy Week and their class schedule is as follows:

M-W-F  - 7:30 - 9:00PM

T-Th - 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Saturdays - 1:00 - 2:30 PM

summer rate 

Php 6,000 for 2 months

One can also avail of their regular rate as follows:

Monthly - 2,500

Membership - 1,000

Uniform - 1,250

For details, you can call 5220518

The PTA Dojang at the Rizal Memorial Stadium complex

Note that the writer of this blog is not in any way connected to the Philippine Taekwondo Association.  

For inquiries and clarifications regarding rates and schedule, contact the above stated number.

Do Male Dogs Go "In Heat?"

One morning while the dogs in our neighborhood seem to be going crazy at the same time, I went out to see what was going on.  One of our neighbors was out trying to restrain her dog who was whining, barking and acting like crazy at a female dog.

The dog's owner said, "Hay naku, in heat na naman ang aso ko!" 

But the dog was a male (I wondered to myself).  

Paano siya magiging "in-heat?"

I suddenly doubted the stock knowledge I had from college and began searching in Google if male dogs do in fact go "in heat."

The answer?  

NO!  Male dogs do not go in heat.  

They do however respond to female dogs who are in heat.  

The presence of pheromones in the urine and perhaps the blood being discharged by the female make them like homing devices to male dogs. The female dog appears so attractive because of the scent that is why male dogs go crazy when a female dog goes in heat.  The doggy estrus cycle is divided into 4 parts:  proestrus, estrus, diestrus and the anestrus.

Sa proestrus, the female dog would usually have a swollen pinkish vulva and would have bloody discharge na parang menstruation.  Madalas din silang naiihi (frequent urination).  Dito kadalasan nagwawala ang mga male dogs because the female smells so good for them but she does not want to be mounted.  Feeling long hair baga pero pakipot muna.

Sa estrus naman or the actual "heat" is the period of ovulation.  Mas willing na yung female dog to welcome male dogs.  This is the time the females are most fertile.  

Sa diestrus, medyo swollen pa rin ang vulva pero madalas wala ng bleeding.  Di na rin masyadong interested ang female dog to welcome males.

Ang anestrus naman is the long period when heat stops tapos the dog prepares its body for the next heat cycle.

So again, MALE DOGS DO NOT GO INTO HEAT ha!

For added info:
Can a Male Dog Come in Heat?- http://www.improveyourcat.com/can-a-male-dog-come-in-heat/
Estrus or Heat - http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-estrus.aspx

Ethan's First Goal Captured on Cam

My son Ethan has been training for football for almost a year now.  He started at the Alaska Football Summer Power Camp when he was 6 years old.  I have been bringing him to the Alabang Country Club fields every Tuesdays and Thursdays each week and have seen his skills get better and better.

In the recently concluded "5th OFF Youth Football Festival," my son played as part of the Alabang Football School team.  Last year, we came to this festival only as spectators although Ethan was already qualified to take part in the games. The video footage of his opening goal for his team against Manresa FC is special to us because this is Ethan's first goal captured on camera. His first goal in a festival is actually during the Alaska Power Camp Football Festival last Summer but we were unable to record it.  

It is so exciting for us parents to witness our kid's achievements.  Having to capture their achievements on camera is such a bonus as we can view it over and over, and share it with relatives and friends who were not there.  I know this goal will be one of the many goals Ethan will be making, but this goal will always remain special. 

Thanks to Mommy Perpie for letting us use her videocam and all our friends and relatives who expressed their support as we shared with them our happiness in viewing this video. 

The Alaska Football Summer Power Camp 2013

Just got the new flyer announcing the Alaska Football Summer Power Camp which is a 2 month Summer Camp Program for Football.  My son started with the Alaska Football Summer Power Camp last year when he was 6 years old at the Alabang Country Club.  It was a fun-filled experience interacting with other kids while learning skills in the game of soccer.  My son enjoyed the camp so much, he continues training to this day.  So, if you are interested on having your child get involved in a fun and competitive sport this summer, bring them to any of the following venues close to you.

The Camp will open on April 2 and will run until May 19, 2013.  

Take note of the following schedule and venues:

Alabang Football School

at the Alabang Country Club

Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City

Tuesdays and Thursdays

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Boys and girls, 3 to 18 years old

Makati Football School

at the BGC Turf Global City, Taguig

Tuesdays and Thursdays

8:00 am to 10:00 am

Boys and girls, 8 to 18 years old

Makati Football School

at the Army/ASCOM Field-Fort Bonifacio

Wednesdays and Fridays

8:00 am to 10:00 am (10 to 18 years old)

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (3 to 14 years old)

MFS for ARMY CHILDREN

(Free clinic for dependents of Army/Ascom soldiers and officers)

Wednesdays and Fridays

8:00 am to 10:00 am

Boys and girls 6 to 16 years old

REGISTRATION FEE is Php 6,600 per player for the 2 month summer power camp

Contact TOMAS LOZANO(Camp Director) at 8227584

or tlozano@skybroadband.com.ph

Note:  The writer of this blog was not paid for this post. 

All information is based on a flyer circulated by the Alaska Power Camp.

 For inquiries and verification of this summer program, 

contact Mr. TOMAS LOZANO

A Day at the Robot Zoo

(NOTE:  This visit was made last January 28, 2013.  The Robot Zoo has now moved to Kuwait)

Have You Been to the Robot Zoo?  

With the 9 foot long neck and head
of a giraffe

During my 3 months of absence in the blogosphere, one of the experiences I had with my family is at the Robot Zoo.  It was the day before my son's field trip and we decided not let him join.  Instead, we told him we would just go out as a family and see the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center at the SM Mall of Asia which was part of their school field trip.  While waiting for the schedule of our film showing which was at 6pm, we went around the science museum.  While viewing the large periodic table at the 2nd floor, a kind donor who refused to give (his/her) name handed us 3 FREE tickets to the Robot Zoo telling us that it was the zoo's last day in Manila and it would be nice if we'd go and see it.  And so we did!

The zoo features 8 animals, a giraffe, a giant house fly, a rhino, a grasshopper, a platypus, a chameleon, a large hanging bat, and a giant squid.  These robots simulate the movement of their real counterparts.  Some of the displays like the rhino and the chameleon can actually be controlled by visitors.  It was a fun introduction on Robotics for our son.

Putting Mr. Platypus together

Monitors that show how a chameleon
can hide itself in its background

The Robot Zoo opened in the Philippines in July 2012.  Since it was their last day when we visited, which was last January 28, 2013, the zoo lasted for only 6 months.  The zoo is a traveling exhibit anyway and it has gone to several parts of the world already.  After its run in the Philippines, the Robot Zoo is off to Kuwait.

Thank you so much to the kind donor of our free tickets for giving us, especially our son this experience.  Blessings can really come at any time in various forms.

As we bid farewell to the staff of the Robot Zoo, we asked what exhibit would replace it.  Nothing final yet, but rumors say it can be the Startrek exhibit or the Harry Potter collection.  So excited to find out what it would be.  

Word for the Day: Indie

INDIE-

 according to Wikipedia is a short term for "independence" or "independent."

Alam niyo ba na for so long akala ko that the word INDIE meant Bumbay, as in yung Philippine word referring to someone from India.  Inassume ko ito kasi the first time I came across the term Indie Film was after the release of the movie "Slumdog Millionaire. in 2008"   Bigla na lang dumami noon ang nagsasabing gumagawa sila ng Indie film. It felt right to me because of the word HINDI, one of the official languages of people from India.  So for something like 5 years, and buong akala ko INDIE, meant Bumbay. Haay naku!

A few days ago, my sister was filming a project for school.  When she and her mom got home, we casually talked about how the filming went.  Her mom told me that their film is already considered an Indie film na because of its length.  Flashback naman ang mind ko sa "Slumdog Millionaire."  Then I asked, ano ba talaga ang ibig sabihin ng Indie?  She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Di ko din alam."  Doon ako biglang nagkadoubt sa pagkakaalam kong meaning nung word.

The following day I finally decided to GOOGLE the word.  Bakit nga ba di ko ginoogle noon pa.