Quezon Memorial Circle

It's holiday but you're out of budget, the kids wants to have fun but you got no money.... no worries, there is a place in the heart of Quezon City where money is not a requirement. Quezon Memorial Circle is a national park, an ellipse bounded by the elliptical road. Its main feature is a mausoleum containing the remains of Manuel L. Quezon, the second President of the Philippines, and his wife, First Lady Aurora Quezon. But it was close when we get there and is under construction. It has numerous playground and lots and lots of ground area where you could do whatever your heart's desires. Since it was a holiday, students were there practicing all sorts of stuffs, some were doing their cheering routine, others were dancing, some were singing and lots were just playing and running around.

Actually, we weren't suppose to be there. It was unplanned and spur of the moment decision. It's November 29, holiday, (pre) Bonifacio Day. No school for my little boy. But since we're out of budget, we have not plan for anything. We just decided to have lunch at Dory's Restaurant, Fairview, Quezon City. Then we were already on the road travelling along Commonwealth Ave. Next thing we knew, we're already in QMC.

There were lots of playground where kids can have fun. The grounds are safe for the little ones, but make sure you are always on the look out because they could get lost easily. There is no entrance fee for the park, you could have a picnic with the family, bring food and drinks and spend the whole day worry free. But if you didn't bring any, there are plenty of restaurants, tiangge and stalls there. There's a bicycle for rent which you could enjoy with your family. It comes in different sizes. The one we rented cost php120 for an hour. Comfort room cost php3. There's also a theme park inside called "Circle of Fun" which cost php40 entrance fee and free for kids 3ft and below. But we didn't had the chance to get in because we have to get home by 5pm. My Hubby needs to get to work and was worried about the traffic congestion around the area. There were construction along circle road near Visayas ave. Maybe next time....

Day Trip to Villa Escudero

at the reception area, if you are taller than the boy with the
guitar,then you pay adult rate.

It took us about 4 hours to reach Villa Escudero on a Saturday morning even if we were already on the road by 5am. Traffic in SLEX from Bicutan to Alabang was bad, traffic in exit 50 was also bad. We also had a few many stop over after exiting SLEX to find a suitable restroom and end up having breakfast at Jollibee Sto. Tomas which cost us 30 mins or so. The road seems endless, finally we reach the Quezon Arch by 9am, and we finally felt the thrill of the trip upon seeing coconut trees welcoming us to the plantation and resort. Villa Escudero lives up to it's heritage. It felt like revisiting our culture. I didn't mind paying php 1,250 per adult (we were 5) and half price for my little boy (he is 3yo)... and my baby girl....she got in for free, because i knew it will be all worth it..and IT WAS!!!

the pink house is the residence of the Escudero's
we were off limit!!!

the souvenir shop

near the museum,infront of the pink house

my babies

Our Carabao ride

Our Day Trip started with a gulaman drink in the reception area, bought souvenirs, pose more for the camera and walk a little to the museum. Since my kids are not allowed inside, our group take turns in exploring the treasures and antiques inside the museum. My kids stayed at "Lola Charing's Playground" which is just a few steps away from the museum. My brother enjoyed it so much, he finished last among us. After the museum, we had our Carabao ride (a cart pulled by a carabao, with a singing driver, a guitarist and a lady singer). It's a very nice ride, though i get worried we will crush on the side of the dirt road a few times, the HARANA (singing) was relaxing..felt like i was living in the 50's.

overlooking the man-made falls

the lush greeneries on our background

We reached the man made falls where lunch will be serve 20 mins early so we had time to check the place and pose some more for the camera. The lush greeneries are amazingly beautiful. It's very relaxing even if there were insects hovering on us. We could see the bamboo rafts, trees and birds. The water was inviting and the atmosphere, a breather from the haste and chaos of a busy life.

The man-made falls

Lunch by the falls

By 11am, we were allowed to enter the man made falls which is the area for the buffet lunch. My kids are thrilled by the water on their feet. It's a bit slippery but the area is clean and forest like. The food was all filipino cuisine, fairly cooked and served. The waiters are very accommodating. But after a few bite, it started to rain. We have no choice but to move to a different place where there is a roof. But the roof is plastic and dirty water was dripping on our food. We decided to move again, this time we were told that the buffet was moved to the main hall where cultural show will later be performed. But i have lost my appetite.

the eventful lunch

swimming while raining

bamboo rafting

after swimming, my baby girl was exhausted she miss most part of the cultural show

After the eventful lunch, we went to the pool area. They have 2 kiddie pool, a 4ft pool, a 5ft pool and a Jacuzzi. The restroom and shower area are very well maintained. We went for a swim. My brother and Hubby was game enough they tried the bamboo raft. My kids love the water so much, we almost lost track of time. We didn't mind the rain at all. We stayed in the water a bit longer we were late for the cultural show. The cultural show was great. It's one of my favorite part of the trip. We all enjoyed it except for my baby girl who's sleeping most of the show. It showcased different dances and songs of the olden days. It was a performance you wouldn't want to miss when you visit the place. So make sure you schedule your visit on a Saturday and Sunday.

Over all, the trip was great. I would recommend it to all. Visit their website for information and reservation.http://www.villaescudero.com/.There are just few things you have to take note when you decide to come and visit the place.

• bring a sunblock, hat and wear very light and comfortable clothes
• the coconut drinks doesn't come with the buffet lunch, it will cost you 30 pesos
• you can buy and drink beer and liquor by the pool
• the locker in the swimming pool area cost 100, half of it you will be given back when you return the keys
• when someone takes a photo of you, make sure it's a group picture and you look your best because the photo finish will cost you 100 pesos.
• be very generous in giving tip, especially to the driver of the carabao ride. they frowned a big frown if you forget their tip.

Lastly, take the time to read the quotation below. I hope you will enjoy your trip to this place as much as we did. You will never know until you experience it yourself.

A Day At Mall Of Asia

November 16, 2010, It was a holiday, no school for my little boy and rest day for my hubby. So we decided to spend the day at the mall. This time, at the SM Mall of Asia, which is far from our place. Not a usual destination for us, since traffic is always terrible and petrol price is indeed so high these days. But since my mother is having her yearly holiday with us, hubby and I decided it would be fun for her and the kids to see a not so familiar place. We travel a good 2 hours to reach the place, the rain was hard at first but it stopped when we finally reach the place. We knew it would be a great day. And My mother was already having fun posing for the camera.

We had a buffet lunch at Cabalen, my 3 y.o and 1y.o are free of charge, but i am not happy with the food. It's the usual Filipino cuisine, nothing special about it, but my mother, hubby and my niece Mary Rose tried so hard to make the most out of the buffet. I wouldn't recommend Cabalen, even if it's cheap at php390 per head, it is still not worth your money with the taste and quality of food they are serving. And It is really hard to eat especially if you have a 1 y.o and a 3 y.o who are just so "kulit" , very very cheeky indeed. We all take turns on keeping them quiet and CLEAN.

Body balance in midst of chaos..haha!!

Jeira, My baby girl walking on her own

just enjoying every posing moment.

My mother trying to do a yoga pose ;)

walking hand in hand. a family bonding indeed.

Jeira loves the floor so much.

At Science discovery, Jeira enjoying what seems to be like moon craters.

MR and Mama trying to immitate the powerpuff girls???

My little boy Luke getting so tired at the inflatables.

non-stop posing at the mall

my beautiful children enjoying every minute of it.

After Lunch, my little boy had a blast at the inflatables,We had fun taking pictures, trying to do yoga poses, and window shopping, had a tea break, walk some more, and see a lot. It was really hard to walk especially for my 70 y.o mother. We didn't even tried to visit all floors and all shops. SM Mall of Asia is really BIG, and  so often we get lost. After 2 hours of walking, Mama is already hinting on renting a wheelchair. But we decided not to because we might not remember where to return it afterwards (hehehe). Around 5pm, we went to the bay. At my surprise, there were a lot of activities waiting for us there. There were wow wow wheels, wow wow balls (must be owned by wowowee willy), bump cars, exercise poles, telescopes, food carts, and the very inviting sunset view. A lot of people were already lining up the bay boundary. Good thing we found a good spot to seat down, lie down, and pose some more.

Hubby and our little boy had a great bonding moment.

We were watching as the sun set at the horizon. A great experience!

My Niece did stand on the border but didn't get scolded by the guard, as what happen to the other two.
No standing on the border please!

My mother feeling like dyesebel by the bay..hehe

A beautiful sunset by the bay!

After the sunset, we walk some more and some more until we reach the parking and decided to end our mall of asia day trip. My babies slept in the car but was cheeky again when we reach Bulalo Fiesta at Fairview, Quezon City.We had dinner there, which was a great way of ending our day. We had Bulalo with sweet corn and crispy pata, way better than what we had lunchtime at Cabalen.

At the end of the day, it's not how much we've spend, not how many kilometers we've travelled, not many steps we've walked, BUT the number of times we've laughed and smile. It's was a great day for us. And I am thankful for the moment God has given us to enjoy each other's company. SIMPLE yet MEMORABLE