Visiting Bantayan Island for the second time

I fell in love to it since my first visit. 

It's my husband's top place to visit in Cebu when family & relatives would ask.

And just because we want to have one last blast for summer 2014, off we went.

Because of our spontaneity, we travel by land through a non-aircon bus. We could not wait for the aircon bus and for trying to catch the 10:30AM voyage from Hagnaya Port, non-aircon bus it. Yes, we were not able to make the 10:30AM voyage. Instead, we have to ride on a 12:30PM with smaller ferry. By the way, during this time of the month, Amihan and Habagat (wind directions) seems like have an effect since waves are bigger thus, sailing is not that smooth. Infact, it makes me dizzy a bit.

We stayed at Beach Placid and choose Beach Front Room good for 4 persons at 1800PHP. This is with free breakfast. For our other meals, hubby chose to buy food outside the resort (fresh fish and fruits) and we just request the resort to cook for us. It has additional charges though. The resort is closer to the Sta. Fe's port. Though the beach is still clean, I personally prefer to beaches farther from the port. 

The kids love the beach. I see a change of impression my youngest (my next fear is that maybe he will not appreciate beaches unless the sand is white and that the water is crystal clear :D). My eldest likes that the place is simple and quite and that there is no pollution (according to her). The kids had close encounter with jellyfish. They are so thrilled they found a live one (me too :D)

Hubby loves to explore the place. There locals that let their motorbikes lend for a overnight at certain rate. We were able to borrow for 24hrs at 250PHP. There are bicycles for rent too at 150PHP for 24 hrs. We were able to explore Barangay Bantayan's market for its famous fish (fresh and dried).

My kids can't get enough of the beach. Hopefully, we can go home with the rest of the family.

Tips:
- Its best to start your travel early in the morning to catch air-conditioned bus. Travel time for air-conditioned bus is shorter than non-air-conditioned bus due to minimal stops for passenger pick-up. Don't worry, there's not much difference with the fare. 

. The earlier you arrived at the Hagnaya Port the better so you could catch the 10:30AM voyage of the biggest ferry.

- When making reservations, ask for free transport service. Resorts may pick the client from the port and transport back to the port after the stay.
- The island is abundant of fresh fish and shells, you have the option to buy your meals and let the resort cook for you.
- Stores closes at 6PM (during ordinary days). No night life (based on my observation)
- 2-days/1-night relaxation is not enough. Plan a longer stay.

- Have fun.

PS:
Our first visit to Bantayan Island, 5 years ago. Kudos to the locals who take good care of the island :D

9 years and counting...

It has been nine years since we said our "I do"s.
Through the years,
   We had our misunderstanding;
   We had our disappointments;
   We argue or worst we fight;
   Our characters always clash;
   Our goals are the same but our ways are different;
   We are mad, we cried.
But despite everything, we are still together,
   Because we understand;
   Because we hope;
   Because we reconcile;
   Because we compromise;
   Because we reconsider;
   Because we love;
   And so we laugh, we smile. Happy anniversary my Luvs, my Papa, my Taniel, my Partner.

I love you to the moon and back!
Thank you for sticking :D
God knows how thankful I am having you in my life.
I'm counting for more years of togetherness to come through God's grace.

Taken 13 years ago (Bohol Honeymoon)

Are we prepared to K-12 Education Program?

K-12, according to government's official site, is considered as the basic education needed to equipped him/her with fundamental knowledge and be competitive globally.

It consist of 1 year in Kindergarten, 6 years of Primary Education, 4 years of Junior High School and 2 years of Senior High School. Implementation is effective 2013-2014 school year.

Photo Credits: verafiles.org

For my child to prepare in this new system and be accepted in a reputable school, I would initially enroll him/her first in a preschool class or toddler/playgroup class. Some schools nowadays expect that kids are knowledgeable in ABCs, 123s, colors and shapes. In fact, the school will have to undergo student assessment before they accept new students. If Kindergarten is for 5 yrs old, Preschool is for 4 yrs, Toddler or Playgroup is 2-3 yrs old.

I let my eldest join playgroup class for socialization since she does not have someone to interact with at home (aside from her nanny). The 2-hr session consist of singing and dancing and storytelling and playing. She's 2 yrs and 5-month old then. Two years after, she started Nursery, then Kindergarten. She'll be in third grade this coming June 2014 and still enjoying it.

This summer I let my youngest join a toddlers class (still for socialization development). However, seems like teaching style is different, maybe because its a different school. Nevertheless, I'm sure, their teaching style is not effective. Letting a toddlers sit on a chair for 2 hours while the teacher is discussing alphabets and numbers and shapes and colors or giving materials for them to color or write or read, I doubt if its a smooth sailing class. I still want the way where children learn through songs, dance, stories and play.

The government should review the system. Is it quantity over quality? Too may levels but are the contents really present for the students to grasp the fundamentals? There are successful Pinoys that excel and they came from a 10-year basic education. Are they resolving the root cause of the education system's problem?

How about you moms out there? Are you prepared to K-12?

Food Trip: Banana Cake

Because we were not able to make it to the swimming class. 
Because she has nothing to do while waiting her brother (who is attending summer class for toddlers). 
Because she needs to do anything so she has something to write on her English assignment's "My Summer Vacation".
For whatever reasons, she's currently in for a cooking class. And yes, she totally enjoyed it. In fact, she baked something for me last mother's day - banana cake.

 Her version of banana cake:
(recipe from her cooking class teacher)

Ingredient:
3 pcs green bananas
3 pcs large egg
1 cup white sugar
1 cup/ 8 oz butter at room temperature
3 cups cake flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup peanuts

Procedure:
1. Pre-heat oven at 350°F.
2. Mashed bananas.
3. Combine eggs, sugar, butter, flour and baking soda.
4. Fold in mashed banana followed by 1/2 cup peanuts.
5. Put the batter in the baking pan and top it with the remaining peanuts.
6. Bake for 30-45min or until wooden stick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Simple gestures... affects me big time.

My Kids: Same but Different

Both loves to swim.

Both likes noodles.

Both enjoys sipping soups.

Both are sweet and loving.

Both enjoys playtime with Papa Taniel.

But...

She likes to write.
He likes to sing.

She likes sweets.

He likes salty.

She's reserve.

He's carefree.

She can wait.

He is impatient.

She's the peacemaker.

He's in for a battle.

She pays attention (though had to remind her twice or thrice :D).

He ignores me (unless I'll do the spanking).

She easily gets hurt, yet easily pleased.

He seems numb but takes time to console when hurt.

Do I freak out? Maybe? 
However...

She is 8 yrs old; 

He is 2 yrs old;

Way too early to compare? 

Will they change? 
For better? 
For worse? 
Hhmmn... I think we, as parents play a big role on it.

Even if the nurturing is the same, there will always be that something that makes every child different. 

Surely, we will embrace their individuality. For now, let them enjoy the kid in them.