2018 Calayan Adventure - Day 06 - Sagpat Family Farms and Despedida Dinner

05 April 2018

Today was dedicated to visiting our family's respective farms and properties.  For my Dad who hasn't been to the island in 20 years, this was like an eye-opener.  He was able to see how much the island has changed, even with just the little part that he'd seen.  I guess now he isn't going to wait 20 more years for him to return :D

Then, despedida dinner... a poignant time...

2018 Calayan Adventure - Day 05 - Ventura-Gaduang Nuptials, Night Swimming and a Bonfire

04 April 2018

Today was the much-awaited day for my niece Keith Joy and her long-time boyfriend Kelvin.  It's their Wedding Day and we were so honored to be part of their celebration!  Congratulations!!

Even after the reception ended in the afternoon, the party continued on with a bonfire at the beach in the evening :)

Dana's Recognition Day, 2018

26 March 2018

Photo by SCC

Today, it's Dana's turn at Recognition Day.  She received the "With Honors" award, among 6 other students in her grade level.  We're really proud of her!!

Actually, we've told her often that it's okay if she doesn't get an award, that what's important is that she LEARNS and UNDERSTANDS.  It's not about memorizing facts and details, though they are also important.  But, it's better if she takes the lessons to heart and remember them well for there's more studying and practical applications in the future :)

But, having an award sure does make you feel like you've accomplished something, doesn't it?  As long as she's happy and won't let it get into her head, it's fine :)

Congrats Dana!! :) We're proud of you! 

Dylan's Recognition Day, 2018

23 March 2018

We have reached that time of the year when school year 2017-2018 ends.  It's March 23 and today is Dylan's Recognition Day.

We have to commend their teachers for pushing the schedule for today.  Their Recognition Day was originally scheduled in April, after Holy Week.  Despite the short notice, they were able to pull off a worthy Recognition Day for the kids!

Dylan's Birthday in School

16 March 2018

This is actually the first time that Dylan is celebrating his birthday in school.  He was really looking forward to it and was actually crossing off dates in the calendar in anticipation.

In the end, it was a busy, tiring day for everyone but despite it, everyone was happy and well-fed :)

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 :)

Looking at the Super Blue Blood Moon is Fascinating

31 January 2018


The Super Blue Blood Moon - sounds like a mouthful but it's a sight worth seeing since it rarely happens.  I only found out about it because Dana told us she had to take pictures of it for her Science class. 

Admittedly, these are hardly award-winning photos but still, we had fun on the roof :)

Celebrating Sole's 3rd birthday

27 January 2018

Happy 3rd Birthday Sole!! It was a pleasure to be part of your birthday celebration! I hope you had so much fun as we did and I hope you treasure all these moments growing up :)

Being part of family celebrations like these is truly a blessing and brings joy to life! :)

Happy birthday Sole!! :)

The Joys of Christmas 2017

Christmas 2017

Christmas time is such a festive holiday that most of December ends up fully-booked with parties, reunions and celebrations with friends and family.  This year, it's especially full with Dylan's first Christmas party at his new school and a jam-packed family celebration too :)

Hope your Christmas celebration is a full and happy as ours! :)  Merry Christmas!!

Newly-painted chairs and tables for Dylan's classroom

01 December 2017

What a way to greet the first of December (the official start of the Christmas season) by donating our time to Dylan's classrooms continuing renovations.  Today, we focused on fixing the tables and chairs and then painting them.  We also installed a "gate/fence" at the door so that the door can be left open but the kids can't easily run outside.  It was tiring but very fulfilling!  Thanks to everyone who helped!

Our Sunday Habit: Biking at the NBO Biking Lessons ground in BGC

19 November 2017

We feel fortunate that every Sunday, the kids get a chance to learn how to bike at the NBO Bike Lessons ground in BGC.  Well, actually Dana's getting better but Dylan still has a long way to go. 

We savor these moments because kids grow up so fast.  At least we're all having fun as a family. :)

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 :)

Another round of Free Bike Lessons at the BGC courtesy of the National Bicycle Organization

01 October 2017

It's another Sunday and we all went back to BGC in Taguig for another round of Free Bike Lessons courtesy of the National Bicycle Organization.  This time, we arrived earlier than our first trip and we found that more people have become aware of the Free Bike Rides and Lessons since there were now more people riding their bikes.  Let's see how the kids did this time :)

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!

Free Bike Lessons and Bike Riding at the BGC courtesy of the National Bicycle Organization

17 September 2017

After a tiring day at the 2017 Manila International Book Fair yesterday, I didn't think we would have the energy to go bike riding today.  But the kids were driven to learn and wanted to go biking and so we found ourselves at the BGC-PruLife UK Family Zone.

The Bikes are Free.  Lessons are Free.  Just Enjoy!

Wow! 2 floors at the 2017 Manila International Book Fair #2017MIBF

16 September 2017

It's that time of the year again when everyone is on their toes and itching to get into the 2017 Manila International Book Fair.  Since we were here last year, we kind of knew what to expect.  But this year, there's more in store because there was an additional exhibition space on the 2nd Floor which meant more books and stuff to browse and buy from.

Still, it was surprising to see long lines outside of the SMX which made us feel uncertain at first because we thought that was the line to get in.  But, as we neared the entrance gates, it seemed that it was the line to buy tickets from.  We were fortunate that I had printed out tickets from the UST Facebook page and we were able to get in without any fuss.

Honestly, this time, we were really aiming for specific books and other school supplies but we still took our time visiting the other exhibition booths :)

Dylan's class is a beneficiary of a former preschool's educational materials and furnishings

09 September 2017

A great big Thank You to Mommy Myles, Daddy Jovy and Sir Ramil of Books for a Cause for granting us the privilege of receiving much-needed educational materials and furnishings from your former preschool.  We are in awe of your generosity and your kindness will go a long way because all this will help so many generations of Special Education/Autism students. Thank You !

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