Sta. Elena Fun Farm

I really wish I had known of this place earlier. But anyway, this post will be an offshoot of our Balik Bukid trip last weekend.

The Fun Farm is located inside the Sta. Elena Properties in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. This was where the Balik Bukid Country Fair was held and I will now post something about what you can expect when you visit:

 

obstacle course/maze made of bamboo and a truck... and yes, all that space

 

rope setups like these to challenge kids on their balance and grip

 

the sandbox area is housed and kids can freely (and safely)  play in the swing, play with the sand or hang from all those ropes

 

these little girls did a lot of climbing there :)

 

and the sandbox house is really great for avoiding the midday heat

 

tire swings by the duck pond

 

lots of inspirational banners like this one

 

duck pond and fishing area

 

toddlers can get into trouble following the ducks around, haha, for they might end up going in the pond too

 

the opportunity to fish, and have someone thread in the worm bait through the hook :D (you have to throw back the fish caught though)

 

for the brave... a rope bridge across the manmade lake where people go boating

 

farm animals like pigs, cows, horses, sheep, etc

 

animal feeding areas for rabbits and guinea pigs

 

horses you can ride on

 

and a leisurely carabao cart ride

 

don't you love this wash area?

 

and there's a turkey coop too (I didn't get to visit the Pigeon House)

 

part of the adult obstacle course area

 

and yes, the kiddos can really wash all the sand, sweat and grime away before you end your visit

There is a bike trail and you can bring your own bike. You can also freely bring in your own food because they encourage picnics and communion with nature. Each guest has to pay P300 though and need to  make an appointment to make sure the place isn't reserved for an event on the day of the planned outing.

The place is really well-maintained and clean (as nature goes) but expect bugs (mosquitoes, ants and other insects) so feel free to let your child enjoy the fresh air, the sound of birds (and their own laughter) and the freedom to move.

You can course inquiries and reservations through the following:
Holy Carabao - holycarabao@gmail.com
0918 8886588/0920 9131349

Sta. Elena - contact@staelena.com
02 886 8686/Mobile 0920 949 8260

Fun Farm Bookings - wilma.villoso@gmail.com

The Ruins, Talisay City's Homage to Love from a Bygone Era

When I was researching what to do in Bacolod, blogs about The Ruins kept popping up so I made sure my friend included it in the itinerary she gave me. It was our last stop coming back from a tour of Negros' finest and it was really sad that it was drizzling when we got there.

But anyway, The Ruins will just really take your breath away.

Built by the sugar baron  Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his first wife, Maria Braga (a Portuguese from Macau) in the early 1900s, the structure was made of Grade A cement (didn't even know there was such a thing) that allowed it to have the feel and endurance of marble. After all, most of the structure survived even after 3 days of torching. Don Marianos son Felipe oversaw the pouring of the cement and he got as many people as he could so that the pouring will continue nonstop until the structure was complete.

You need to pay P60 per person to enter the premises

really found it hard to take pictures using my broken DSLR with the light and rain, but the lawn and the garden was really just immaculately kept and maintained

that's a restaurant/cafe over there :)

no picture will do this place justice, really...

it was like being in a dream

and the intricacies of the design is just really awe-inspiring

notice that hole where plants are now growing? That area used to contain the wooden floors of the mansion, about a meter wide and 2-inch thick hard wood spanning the entrance of the structure up to the dining area

there's also an 18-hole mini golf course at the property, P50 per game

and a makeshift pub of sorts inside the structure, serving Negros beer

anyway, you'd really want to get married here!

after all, it was built from the love of this man for this woman, whom he lost

but it was being set up for a power dinner of sorts for the Negros' elite when we went there

One can really only wonder at the opulence sugar barons (and their families) enjoyed back in those days... and all the feasting that transpired in this magnificent home. But more importantly, this was built for the love of a wife and mother, and the fact that it has endured this long is testament to the infinite reach of a woman's influence.

P.S.
I cannot rteally give directions on how to go there because we hired a car for P1,500 for the day... and that car took us to places like Manapla and Victorias City and Silay first before bringing us back to Bacolod City. You can check out their website for instructions though == http://theruins.com.ph/

Be a Child Again at Terra 28th Park

There is a new park at the 28th street at the Fort and it's definitely something adult and child alike has to check out.

Areas at Terra 28th Park were designated for different kinds of play, some of which were popular games from childhoods of yesteryears. Think piko (hopscotch) and patintero. They even provided an area for luksong-baka (rough translation: jump over a cow). There is green grass everywhere (water pumps must be keeping all this greenery fresh day in and out) offering padding for children falling on their knees.

And fall they would (happily, I might add) as they run around the area that simply screams freedom and bliss.

Areas that aren't green with grass have some sort of padding, so again, kids are welcome to keep falling down (or rolling around) because the playground is protected enough.








swings, seesaw, monkey bars and slides were designed on ribbon sculptures in this area :)


let's play hopscotch


or patintero


enjoy the musical steps (not yet musical when we were there, but it still offered exercise for the tots)

Terra 28th Park is well-lit at night, so you can even avoid the heat of the sun altogether. And if it rains, a huge Active Fun is just across the park. I think it would even make for a great venue for photoshoots.

If you also walk a block or so away to Bonifacio High Street, you can get to the rest at the new fountain there while enjoying a muffin or two.

============

* click here if you want to see my kids enjoying their time at Terra 28th Park

iPhonography

Hands down, digital slr cameras offer the best quality photos but there is a growing trend called Iphonography that is making artists out of everyone.

Camera phones are handy (because we all can't seem to live without our cellphones now) and if you can spend on the best ones, they also usually come with decent cameras with one-click, few-clicks filters that can turn your ordinary snapshot into something focused, interesting or just downright funny. The iPhone bests most phones because of its simplicity that allows it to be the most user-friendly.

Even professional photographers have taken to shooting hundreds of pictures a day to document their lives and what they see or share with friends what they thought was amazing or weird. Try it, an iPhone (or some other Android phone) is much cheaper than a professional DSLR anyway... a lot less heavy too!

Expo Mom for Mother's Day

For those who still do not know what to give their wives for Mother's Day... or for those who still do not know what they want for Mother's Day, the Expo Mom happening on May 7, 2011 at Rockwell Tent could provide you with ideas. Great ideas! If wedding expos were where you found your dream wedding gown and found out how gold bars are affecting the cost of rings (or investments), mommy-baby expos are where you find the cutest little outfits (matching pieces to boot) and all the possibilities you can give your self and offer your child.




Oh, and Little People Photography is offering all their services and packages at a 20% discount if you book them between May 01 to 31 so check them out at the Expo. Check out their site too, at www.lpphotodesign.multiply.com



*~*

More info about the event:
WHAT'S EXPO MOM?
Expo Mom is the premier lifestyle event for moms in Manila. It is a
trade expo, all-day workshop, shopping destination, mommy party,
family occasion, mompreneur lab, all rolled into one!

THE EXPO MOM TRADE SHOW
It is not your regular bazaar. Expo Mom showcases the latest in mom
and baby products and services, from new brands that have been
recently launched, to latest mompreneur inventions, to new stuff
that have just come in from abroad.
Yes moms can shop and browse, interact with vendors and
mompreneurs, and learn a lot about what services are out there.

ONSTAGE ACTIVITIES*
Expo Mom features interesting talks and workshops for young, urban
moms and families. It's guaranteed infotainment - both educational
and fun at the same time. Activities such as the following have
been planned out:
- Laughter Yoga
- Modern Mom fitness- Healthy bump and beyond
- Prenatal Stimulation- How to have a healthy & smart baby
- Solo parenthood
- Creative meals
- Time Management for busy moms
There are also planned celebrations:
- Mommy Matters' 10th year Anniversary!
- Formal Launch of the Mommy Mundo Privilege Passport
- Formal Announcement of Expo Mom's going nationwide! (Expo Mom
Cebu & Davao)
*topics and schedules subject to change

THE MOMMY ROOM - Breastfeeding Lounge & Diaper changing area
MOMMY PORTRAIT AREA - Get a free mom or family photo at the Expo
Mom Portrait area Photo Booth
THE MOM RESOURCE CORNER
- Lamaze /prenatal classes
- Breastfeeding consultation
- OB consultation
- Single parents support
- For Kids with Special needs
- MomShare volunteer booth
- Mompreneur Manila booth
KIDS INFLATABLE by Fun Ranch
HEALTHY SNACK AREA (tent)

Expo Mom entrance fee is only P25, 100% of which goes to MomShare
outreach. Expo Mom discourages the use of plastic so attendees are
asked to kindly bring their own reusable shopping bag:)

For further info, email inquiry@expomom.com or visit
www.expomom.com.

Expo Mom is produced by Mommy Mundo and PACE, co-presented by
GlaxoSmithKline, Mommy Matters. Supported by Cordlife, Philam Life,
Cycles, Cradle, Flip Video, Cisco, Havaianas, Del Monte Quick n
Easy, Avent, Lactacyd Baby Bath, Citibank and RCBC. Media Partners
are Lifestyle Network, MomsToday, Smartparenting, Working Mom, Baby
Magazine and Mommy Mundo publications Urban Mom and Mommy Pages.

Rosemont Gardens in Tagaytay

I had the pleasure to see Rosemont Gardens personally after our weekend from Canyon Cove. I decided to take pictures of the place and thought readers will appreciate pictures not taken by a professional photographer (for those of you thinking that those in their website could be misleading or deceiving, haha).



it's a steep climb down to the house (there is parking outside the gate, just after the gate, in front of the house, and further down in the property's gardens


careful does it


the house


the arbor going to the covered veranda that can accommodate around 100


part of the veranda, the water fountain


real spacious for an intimate gathering


the veranda, from the garden


view of the house, from the garden


a gazebo-like arbor in the garden


part of the multi-tiered garden


stairs going to the first floor of the house


the living room


one of the bedrooms in the first floor (child not included)


sitting area in master's bedroom


master's bedroom (2nd floor)


master's bedroom again


area outside the master's bedroom


same area, the bathroom/CR is just behind this wall while the door to the master's is tucked to the right of the other wall

Rosemont Gardens is perfect for small weddings, cocktail parties, other small gatherings or a weekend party with friends/getaway with family. The house has three bedrooms and three toilets and baths. The kitchen is fully equipped for use.

The property is conveniently located along General Aguinaldo Highway so it's also real easy to have things delivered or for quick trips to your usual Tagaytay haunts. And because it's Tagaytay, don't be surprised to be enveloped by fog when you're in the veranda when dusk sets or it's raining.

The place is also perfect for pre-nuptial or other kinds of photoshoots. One other thing it's perfect for is a private date or that venue for a marriage proposal.

Rosemont Gardens is more of a beautiful, luxurious home than a hotel. And they do offer air-conditioning but you might not need it, if you're lucky.

And I hope the pictures I took has you convinced that Rosemont Gardens is really a nice, nice place!

Contact Rosemont Gardens now:
Km 67 General Aguinaldo Highway, Alfonso, Cavite
rosemontgardens@yahoo.com| inquiry@rosemontgardens.net
http://www.rosemontgardens.net/
Mobile/Telephone: (02)348-0116; (0917)8527528 (Globe); (0922)8680116 (Sun)