The Manila Bulletin Hatch Exhibit at the UST Museum

26 September 2019

We are always on the lookout for new exhibits to go to and when we learned about the new Hatch Exhibit from Manila Bulletin is now being showcased at the UST Museum, Dylan and I decided to check it out.

The Hatch Exhibit consists of 100 acrylic eggs that served as the medium for Filipino artists to express their exceptional talent.  It will run until October 12, 2019. 

Legarda Elementary School's 97th Founding Anniversary

24 September 2019

Over the course of a few weeks, Dylan, his classmates and the rest of the school have been busy preparing for the 97th Founding Anniversary of the Legarda Elementary School. 

This is Dylan's first social gathering with his new classmates since his teacher resigned and I'm certainly proud of him for adjusting well and participating fully with their dance routine. 

2019 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPR) activities at Legarda Elementary School

23-25 July 2019

It's that time of the year when the students of the SPED department are in the spotlight.  It's the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week at Legarda Elementary School and everyone - students, teachers and parents got busy with preparations and participation.

Opening and closing ceremonies were held at the auditorium while various other activities were held in respective classrooms.

Check out what Dylan's class was up to!

Celebrating Family Day at the Kids' Respective Schools

2019 February/March

This February, the kids were busy with their respective celebrations of Family Day in their schools. 

The highlight of Dana's Family Day is their award-winning performance of their Hip Hop Dance number.

Dylan's class had a lot of activities so you'll see a lot of pictures of those :)

Still, all of it was good fun! :)

What to see at the National Museum of Natural History: Our first visit 2019

26 January 2019

At last, we were able to visit the recently-opened National Museum of Natural History in the former Department of Tourism Building in Luneta Park in Manila.

Opened in May 2018, this Museum has 6 floors, 5 of which have various displays and exhibits.

Prepare to walk a minimum of 2 hours if you want to visit all the exhibits!

Let's go!

Re-visiting the National Museum of Anthropology (2019)

26 January 2019

We've been to the Museum of Anthropology before, in 2016 (read about it here), but while there were staple exhibits, like the San Diego, Bangsamoro and Lumad exhibits, there were also a few new additions, like the Garing (Ivory Trade), Biyay (about the Negrito Community), Entwined Spheres (Baskets and Mats as containers), the Pina-Seda (Pineapple and Silk Cloth) and the San Isidro Shipwreck.

Prepare 2 hours to walk around the Museum of the Filipino People.

Sta. Catalina College: A Night of Broadway Musical

24-25 November 2018

On November 24 and 25, Sta. Catalina College staged a benefit show entitled "A Night of Broadway Musical" directed by Ms. Christine Palanca. 

Dana was part of the ensemble cast of Les Miserables and they (almost the whole school)  practiced for this production for almost 3 months.  Other sets included Annie, The Little Mermaid, Miss Saigon, Rock of Ages and the Lion King. 

Visiting the Capas National Shrine in Tarlac

04 November 2018

So on our last day in Tarlac, we didn't want to leave without going to places that we've never been and that's how we ended up going to the Capas National Shrine.

The Capas National Shrine used to be the Capas Concentration Camp where Filipino and American soldiers were detained and imprisoned by the Japanese Imperial Forces after the Fall of Bataan.  More than 30,000 of these soldiers died here and were buried in mass graves.   The Shrine was built to commemorate these fallen soldiers.

As we walked around the shrine, we saw the Obelisk, the Memorial Wall (with the engraved names of the fallen), the Esplanade and took refuge from the heat amidst the many trees.

Visiting the Presidential Car Museum at the Quezon Memorial Circle

22 August 2018

Last August 19, the Presidential Car Museum was opened to the public.  It is located at the Quezon Memorial circle and is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 8AM to 4PM.  Admission is FREE.

Today, we went for a visit and check out what's in store for you! :)

2018 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week

26 July 2018

Actually, the NDPR week was originally scheduled for July 17-23.  Unfortunately, the Philippines was beseiged by typhoons and strong southwest monsoon rains which led to the suspension of classes during most of this week.

They were only able to do their Arts and Crafts activity on Thursday and the rest of the activities were scheduled today.  Dylan spent the past couple of days practicing with his other SPED schoolmates for a dance routine they were scheduled to perform for everyone. :)

The NDPR week is meant to spread awareness about the different disabilities, like Autism, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability among others and to help people understand that "We are Different, But Not Less".

We Attended the Live Recording of The Arts Hour on Tour (in Manila)

26 April 2018

The Arts Hour on Tour with Nikki Bedi was in Manila today for a live recording of the show.  We were lucky enough to score tickets to the event which was held at the Star Theater in Pasay City.

It featured guests Bamboo, Abra, Nikki Luna, Atom Araullo, Treb Monteras, Louise Meets, Juan Miguel Severo and G. B. Labrador.

10 Reasons Why the Big Bad Wolf Books Event at the World Trade Center is Bad for Me (and my wallet)!

17 February 2018

What a fitting picture! I found that book at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale at the World Trade Center.  You'll find over 2 Million books with 60% to 80% discounts.  The event runs from February 16 to 25 and they're open 24 hours!  Admission is FREE!

We went there around 8PM and we left at 2AM and we didn't even get to see all the books!! Check out our experience and we hope that you get to visit too :)

Dylan's UN Day : Tasting dishes from different countries

19 October 2017

It's that time again for United Nations' Day!  This time, I'm glad this it's not about the costume but the culture of the nation that's being taught so Thanks Teacher Ressie!

The kids were asked to select a country and bring to school a sample of the dishes that represent it.  Dylan naturally gravitated to Japan and we brought several helpings of Tamago Onigiri :)

Dylan's Foundation Day participation in school

28 September 2017

This is another first for Dylan education-wise.  Today, he celebrated the school's 95th Year Anniversary together with his classmates, schoolmates, teachers and staff.  They prepared a dance routine and performed it as part of the school's Foundation Day Celebration.

As any parent with a child on the autism spectrum, events like these mark milestones to be remembered.  It's special because it shows your child's progress in dealing with crowds. It shows how your child copes with a specific routine (like dancing) and ability to follow directions.  It tests your child's patience while waiting for his turn.  Dylan exceeded all of these today and I'm so proud of him!

Dylan helps with his class' room renovations

27 August 2017

What I've learned now that Dylan is in public school is that if you want something done for the class, you have to do it yourself.  Today, my co-parents and I banded together to put up bulletin boards and Teacher's whiteboard and constructed stacking shelves for Dylan's class.  Dylan was very excited to be part of a project like this and it taught him the value of working hard and appreciating the end result.

On Board the Mexican Training Tall Ship, Buque Escuela Cuauhtemoc

06 August 2017

Today, we went on board the Mexican Training Tall Ship, BE Cuauhtemoc, while it was docked at the South Harbor.  The ship was at our port as part of its 2017 Instruction Cruise where 4th Year cadets of the Heroic Naval Military school will circumnavigate the BE Cuauhtemoc across 15 ports and 12 countries.  They are also celebrating their Centenary of the Constitution and the 35th Anniversary of the Ship.

NDPR Finale: Sports Festival!

21 July 2017

The theme today is Speed because today is the last day of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation celebration at Dylan's school! Their final activity is a Sports Festival and all Special Education classes are participating.  That is why Dylan is wearing a "The Flash" shirt while I"m wearing a Ferrari shirt LOL

Assembly time was at 0730 and yep, even though it's a bit early for Dylan, we were both up and full of energy at this time of the morning haha

There were a number of sports activities that each class can participate in.  Parents and teachers had prepared several loot bags for the kids who participate and special prizes for those who win in friendly competition with other classes.

Dylan participated in all 7 activities though it's too bad I failed to take pictures or videos of some of them because I was busy assisting and cheering him on haha

NDPR Week Continuation: Film Showing and Food Festival

19-20 July 2017

Continuing with the celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabiliation Week, Dylan's class participated in a Film Showing (Day 3)  and a Food Festival (Day 4).

You may wonder why there's a Film showing during NDPR week.  It's actually to test how long these kids can sit, focus and watch a full-length movie.  To normal people, sitting still for the whole length of a movie is a breeze.  But for special kids like Dylan and his friends, it's actually pretty difficult.

On Day 4, the food festival was done to encourage kids to prepare their own meals and to teach them to appreciate good food.  The kids made waffles!

Dylan's class is Munting Aklatan #95 thanks to Books for a Cause

20 July 2017

Today, Dylan's class became Munting Aklatan #95.  We were fortunate to be the beneficiaries of books for Dylan's Autism class courtesy of Sir Ramil Sumangil from the Books for a Cause advocacy.

Books for a Cause receives any and all books (and even toys) and in turn donates these to people who need them.  Thank you for our books!! :)

Opening of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week at Dylan's school

17 July 2017

Today is the opening of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week at Dylan's school.  All Special Education classes came together to participate in the opening ceremonies.  Dylan isn't averse to attending large gatherings and is actually pretty stable when it comes to social events so I wasn't worried.  He was actually pretty excited to participate when he found out that they were supposed to dance in front of everyone.

It was truly an enriching experience for both Dylan and me because we got to see and interact with other Special Kids and Teens and we marvel at their capacity and determination for learning!  Kudos to the kids! Thank you to to their teachers and parents for their patience and support.  The future looks bright for all of us!