Mom-About-Town

2008-07-19T19:09:00.005+08:00

"There’s something about Siggi’s"
Sun.Star Davao, July 19, 2008

Entrepreneur and mother of three Bia Go never fails to receive compliments whenever she prepares her well-loved barbeque for family and friends.

“They say it reminds them of this famous restaurant in Manila which serves amazing barbeque with their distinct special sauce and java rice. People would often try to convince us to open our own restaurant”, Bia recounts.

So when Bia and her husband Dencio (also a culinary whiz) found a suitable location for their dream restaurant, they immediately grabbed the chance and opened Siggi’s to the public last July 4, 2008.

“We liked the name Siggi’s because it means ‘victory protection’. In the Urban Dictionary, it is also defined as a person who is ‘funny and makes people laugh; you can hear people laughing all around him’. In the same way, that is what Siggi’s is all about—good food, good laughs and good times”, Bia says.

Fresh and hip

The couple sought the services of one of Davao and Cebu’s most talented interior designers, Adeline Infante, and their collaboration resulted in creating a fresh and hip ambience to the 118 square-meter Siggi’s.

The cosmopolitan interiors boast of red, aqua and white-colored walls accentuated with leaf designs. Honeycombed-inspired shelves, imposing mirrors and the high ceiling contributed to the modish feel of the 50-seater dining area. White tiffany chairs with aqua-colored cushions and wrought iron woven-designed lamps captured the fancies of diners.

“Everyone who has seen the restaurant had nothing but compliments for its interiors. Certainly, Adeline has done a fantastic job”, proudly shares Bia who has likewise worked with the young designer for their family-owned Asian deli, Golden Bamboo, located along Jacinto Extension.

There’s something about Siggi’s

“Siggi’s cuisine is typically Western in nature but with infusion of some Filipino dishes. Some recipes are our own family specialties while others are dishes generally known but we made adjustments to improve their taste and quality, making them more enticing and appetizing”, Bia discloses.

Specialties of the house include Gambas (P185), French Onion Soup (P115), Seafood Marinara (P220), Charbroiled Baby Back Ribs with rice (P195), Chicken Barbeque with rice (P145) and Catch of the Sea (P185).

In addition, recommended dishes for the family are lip-smacking appetizers such as Calamari A La Pobre, Siggi’s Sisig Special, Beef Salpicao, Buffalo Wings and scrumptious salads like Oriental Hot Chicken and Prawn Salad.

Cheese Logs, Pasta Carbonara and Bolognese, Chicken-In-A-Basket, Fish and Fries, Pork Belly Express as well as Brownie Ala Mode are some of the yummy bestsellers for kids.

“The restaurant is for people who want the finest choices, coupled with value for their money. We offer not just the food and venue but the entire eating experience. It is family-friendly and customers are assured of superb dining with modern ambience”, Bia ends with a smile.

And, because of all these, there’s something about Siggi’s that makes it one of Davao’s newest must-go restaurants for the whole family!

Siggi’s is located at 37 A. Mabini St., Davao City. Tel. no. 2258642. It is open daily from 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. The restaurant also has a special function room for small meetings (15 persons), P2,000 consumable for 3 hours.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-07-12T18:38:00.004+08:00

"Book It!"
Sun.Star Davao, July 12, 2008

As a parent, love for reading is a passion that I would like to inculcate to our children at an early age.

So, I was quite happy when last week, my daughter Anicka, who is in grade one, excitedly told me that the Pizza Hut staff visited their classroom inviting the students to join their Book It! Reading and Comprehension Incentive Program.

I wanted to know more about this laudable program so I got in touch with Pizza Hut-Gaisano Mall’s very accommodating general manager Harold Yap. He referred me to Manila-based Karen Cabreza who is Pizza Hut-Philippines’ Book It! Administrator.

Worldwide reading program

Book It! is a worldwide reading program by Pizza Hut which started in the USA in 1985. Millions of children have participated in Book It! over the years and there is current participation in more than 900,000 classrooms all over the world.

“In the Philippines, Book It! began in June 2007 with over 8,000 participants. The Philippines is the first ever Asian country to have this program and proud to be on its second school year”, shares Karen.

Karen explains that “Book It! is a reading incentive program for children. It motivates children to read more and have better comprehension skills by rewarding their reading accomplishments with praise, recognition, pizza, certificate and medal”.

Book It! is “simple for teachers to use, flexible because goals match reading ability, and fun because achieving a goal is a great reason to celebrate”.

This 2008, the Book It! Program is being extended nationwide. Moreover, unlike last year where only grade one students were eligible, higher grade levels and homeschooled kids are now welcome to join upon evaluation and approval of the Book It! Office.

Book It!

Book It! runs from July through December.

This unique program, endorsed by the Department of Education, is free to classrooms in both private and public schools and allows teachers to set goals that complement their reading curriculum and student's reading skills. The program provides teachers with tips, tools and free reading incentives to keep reading motivation high.
Frequent reader roster and other materials are also included to monitor progress easily.

Reading goals may change upon the teachers’ perspective of what best fits her students. For instance, a classroom goal is to read 240 minutes/month and answer 8 out of 12 questions correctly while the home goal is to read 15 minutes per day at home with the parents and accomplish the parents’ verification form.

According to Karen, “There is no reading material required by Book It!. Whatever reading books or materials that are used in registered schools/ classrooms may be used as references by the teacher. The reason behind this is that we don’t want to give additional cost to the school and to the parents because we all know how hard life is nowadays”.

“The schools usually use their Reading (subject)books with comprehension test after each story while reading books used at home usually are what the kids have like classic stories: “Beauty and the Beast”, “Cinderella”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Peter Pan”, “Toy Story” and even the book collection of “Harry Potter and “Lord of the Rings”, she adds.

Reading rewards

As incentives, the restaurant manager and team congratulate every child for meeting the monthly reading goal and reward them with a free, one- topping Buddy Pan Pizza, signature with remarks and sticker on their Book It! Recognition Card.

On each subsequent visit, the child is rewarded again with the same deal. Every child who meets their reading goal in all six months of the program receives a Book It! All-Star Reader Certificate Award and Book It! All-Star Reader Medallion from Pizza Hut.

There is no purchase requirement and the pizza can be taken to go. Substitutions are available and vary by location.

“Book It! is Pizza Hut’s Corporate Social Responsibility. Having been in the business for 25 years and being the only pizza innovator in the Philippines, Pizza Hut has thought of a way to give back to the community in a very meaningful and novel way which is the Book It! Reading and Comprehension Incentive Program”, enthuses Karen.

“Others may see that we’re throwing away cash by giving free Buddy Pan Pizza to our Book It! students but we’re actually not. It’s not about the free pizza we’re giving but the kids we were able to help in their early reading and the families we were able to give excellent service. Through the Book It! reading program, we have the opportunity to give the best Pizza Hut experience to their kids and families”, Karen concludes.

For more information, check out the Book It! Program website at www.bookit.com.ph.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-07-05T08:13:00.005+08:00

"A double 80th birthday celebration"
Sun.Star Davao, July 5, 2008

How does one celebrate 80 years of meaningful existence?

For Rosita Alvarez-Bangayan’s family, the original plan was to celebrate their beloved matriarch's precious milestone through a well-planned family vacation/reunion in Boracay, instead of a grand party.

So, for a few days last May, the whole Bangayan family flew to their favorite beach destination to commemorate, in advance, Amah (Grandma) Rosita’s 80th birthday. A spectacular beach luau capped off the special affair.

However, when the date of Rosita's actual natal day came near, her loving children and grandchildren could not resist celebrating it again. After all, it was still their treasured mother/grandmother’s birthday and the family wanted her to enjoy every second of it.

Thus, with very last minute preparations, the Bangayans organized Rosita’s 80th birthday celebration last June 18, 2008 at Marco Polo’s Lotus Court. The intimate affair was attended by immediate family members and close friends from the Filipino-Chinese Women’s Association (FCWA), where Rosita is an active member and supporter.

Mother of the year

Rosita was born in a brood of 16 siblings. She married Lorenzo on December 6, 1947 at the age of 18 years old in Zamboanga City.

During these times, arranged marriages were the norm. Rosita and Lorenzo only met once before the wedding. She had to give up her studies to get married because of her parents’ wishes.

After getting married, they had two children, Flora and Eddie. The couple moved to Davao to look for greener pastures in 1956 where the three other kids followed, namely: Ruben, Wilson and Becky.

At that time, Davao's economy was booming so their relatives all came one by one and settled in Davao. They opened Lino's Commercial in Uyanguren located beside Magsaysay Park.

Lorenzo had a big heart and opened their home to friends and relatives needing a place to stay. They even supported the studies and livelihood of their employees, including their children.

In 2001, Rosita was awarded "Mother of the Year" by the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. There was only one awardee each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. That same year, Rosita’s fellow awardee was tycoon Lucio Tan’s mother.

In order to be considered for this prestigious award, the nominee should be involved in significant socio-civic activities which benefit the community, and her children must be successful in their respective fields.

Chinese chic

The motif of Rosita’s 80th birthday was ‘Chinese chic’ which meant, the family members were dressed in the auspicious red color. Vibrant Chinese lanterns decorated the venue and a sumptuous 10-course Chinese lauriat was served.

Instead of giving out the usual souvenirs, Rosita’s family wanted to make it extra memorable for the party guests so they had top notch photographer Ben Young III set up an onsite photo booth. The guests were delighted to bring home their personal commemorative pictures.

Manila-based professional emcee Eva Marie Poon (who happens to be my college classmate in DLSU) kept the guests entertained as she posed interesting questions regarding the birthday celebrant. Lucky guests who could answer the trivia correctly got to pick a prize.

Eva, who is also a former band vocalist and much sought-after wedding host in the Chinese community nationwide, likewise performed Rosita’s well-loved Spanish songs such as “Besame Mucho” and “Que Sera Sera”.

Other highlights of the affair were the touching audio-visual presentation featuring photos of Rosita’s life as well as interviews from different guests and family members; the captivating song numbers of the FCWA; and heart-warming speeches delivered by the eldest of the Alvarez siblings, Luis as well as Vicky King, in behalf of the FCWA.

Rosita’s celebration was even made more significant with the presence of her sisters and brothers who surprised her by flying home to Davao in secret. In fact, her siblings were planning to visit Rosita even months before her birthday, regardless if there will be a party or not. Frank Alvarez came from the U.S.; Benita Yap and Luis Alvarez from Zamboanga; and Tranquilina Torres from Manila.

For Rosita, this most anticipated reunion with her dearest siblings became the greatest gift of all on her 80th birthday.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-06-28T14:40:00.002+08:00

"Daddies’ day out!"
Sun.Star Davao, June 28, 2008

They walked the ramp with an attitude. Armed with confidence while dressed in various attires from casual to formal wear, you wouldn’t guess that these cool and hip daddies were first-time models!

Last Father’s Day, SM City Davao paid a fitting tribute to several Dabawenyo dads through a fashion show dubbed as “Dads on the Ramp” held at the mall’s The Event Centre.

Nine amazing dads coming from different fields and interests, together with their lovable children, were especially invited to grace the affair. They included William Noel, president of Camera Club of Davao, with sons Tristan, Nathaniel, and Anthony; Dr. Rovic Cuasito , dentist and TV personality of ABS-CBN Davao, with kids Lawrence Ire and Lyka Ice; Kornelian Baz Cocjin, games master and head fitness instructor for Holiday Gym and Spa, with son Vincent Job; Anthony Chuang, marketing officer for Holiday Gym and Spa, with kids Axel and Althea; Ted Uy, head supervisor for Holiday Gym and Spa, with daughter Shanna Kat; Rene Cajoles Sr., director for a banana plantation in Davao Del Norte, with children Renee Hamida and Rene Jr.; Sun.Star Davao’s very own “Tatay” Rene Lumawag, photojournalist with son Skippy; Bong Aportadera, Davao City Tourism Officer; and Ross Luga, Davao Light and Power Company Corporate Communications Officer, with daughter Jossan May.

The daddy-models sported the latest apparel and accessories from popular establishments like Dr. Marten’s, Bossini, Collezione, All Flip-Flops, Eye Crafter, Loalde and Compliments. As bonus treats, they even got to bring home some of the items they modelled from the generous sponsors.

Other well-deserved surprises that dads got to enjoy at SM City Davao were the Father’s Day Wall of Greetings, free massage by Holiday Gym and Spa, free pictorials courtesy of 1001 Digital Photography and “Rhythms for Dad” featuring balladeer Richard Poon.

Certainly, all the hardworking and loving fathers felt pampered and important as they experienced their very own Daddies’ Day Out!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com

2008-06-21T10:07:00.009+08:00

“I love you, Yaya!”
Sun.Star Davao,
June 21, 2008

Over 11 years ago, mompreneur, multi-awarded actress and Huwarang Inang awardee Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan made the crucial decision to become a hands-on mom to her firstborn baby, Ella.

“During our walks in the village and playtimes at the park, I noticed that several yayas (nannies) had many practices in childrearing that I didn’t agree with. I struggled to keep quiet with the latter but at the same time, I tried to share bits and pieces of advice to those who seemed eager to learn”, recounts Maricel who has three other wonderful children, Donny, Hannah and Benjamin.

The celebrity mom continues that she knew that the “yayas were genuinely concerned with their wards but just didn’t really have much guidance on how to care for them with a bigger perspective in mind”.

“I love you, Yaya!”

With the expert help of The Center for Early Childhood Care and Development, Maricel began developing and eventually, conducting the highly successful and in-demand “I Love You, Yaya!” seminar program.

The one-day training workshop for child caregivers and first time mothers aims to
“empower and equip caregivers with basic knowledge and skills to create a healthy and holistic environment where the child can maximize his potentials in different aspects of life”.

For the last nine years, the said program evolved to include the expertise of Maricel’s sisters-in-law Dr. Donna Pangilinan-Simpao, Felichi Pangilinan-Buizon and various professionals from diverse fields on child care. The enlightening seminar has been conducted to yayas of celebrity kids, high profile families as well as in countless schools and corporations.

“We feel that the seminars have made some contribution in appropriately rearing our future generations by training the yayas who care for them. But that is only the beginning. Many families have yet to be reached and many lives still wait to be transformed”, shares Maricel who is a supportive wife to BusinessWorks, Inc. president and chief trainer Anthony Pangilinan.

Thus, Maricel, Dr. Donna and Felichi came up with the “I Love You, Yaya” Handbook (P499). The must-have yaya training manual for both caregivers and employers is a two-part Tagalog-English reference book containing “informative articles on hiring, training, and nurturing caregivers, as well as practical guides on first aid for children, common illnesses, developmental milestones, and even fighting stress”.

In addition, the yayas can listen to the trainers themselves as the book comes with two audio CDs discussing the lectures in the handbook.

Vital employer and yaya topics

With permission from the publisher, The Parenting Company, I am sharing to you an excerpt from the article entitled “Delegate” by Dr. Donna Pangilinan-Simpao, one of the many educational topics from the “I Love You, Yaya” Handbook:

In delegating tasks to yayas, parents need to do the following:

DECIDE-Decide on what tasks can be delegated. This enables you to focus on more important tasks and maximizes you and your yaya’s energy.

EMPOWER-Before delegation, you need to empower with close training and supervision. They need to do it right according to your standards.

LEAD-It’s hard to delegate tasks that we are unfamiliar with. We need to lead by example.

ENTRUST-At some point, you need to learn to entrust. You are the judge of the readiness of the helper to be left on her own.

GUARD AGAINST OVER DELEGATION-There are tasks which are best done by a mother or father such as bonding with kids through bedtime storytelling, saying prayers together, disciplining a child and school programs and activities.

ANTICIPATE MISTAKES AND ERRORS-Nobody is perfect. If the error does not put the child or family in danger, make way for second chances.

TRAIN CONTINUALLY-There will always be areas to improve in homemaking and childrearing. Continue imparting knowledge and skills to your helpers.

EMPATHIZE- Make it a habit to occasionally put yourself in your helper’s shoes. Ask yourself: “Were my instructions clear? Did I show them how to do it? Did I use hurtful words in correcting the errors in the tasks I assigned them to do? Did I expect too much?”.

“The tips I have given form the word DELEGATE. I have found it such a powerful tool in making life a little less complicated and more relaxing”, enthuses Dr. Donna.

Other essentials topics in the handbook include “A Guide to Partnering With Our Yayas”, “Yaya: Your Organization Buddy”, “Helping our Helpers Help Themselves”, “Love Your Kasambahay”, “Alternatives to TV Viewing”, “Good Yaya Manners”, “Health, Hygiene, and Orderliness for Child Caregivers”, “Basic Nutrition”, and many more.

The “I Love You, Yaya” Handbook is available at The Master's Library located at the Victory Center, 4th floor, Robinson's Galleria. For more information, e-mail theparentingcompany@yahoo.com.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-06-14T09:31:00.007+08:00

"Crazy ‘bout Crocs"
Sun.Star Davao, June 14, 2008

When Lyn Buyco-Tan's dad, mom and younger brother Clec arrived from a trip to Singapore two years ago, they gifted her then 2-year old son Alec with a pair of light blue Crocs.

“I let Alec try on the Crocs and he started running around the house in it. Later, when I tried to take it off him because I was concerned that he might trip in the seemingly big shoes, he resisted! Alec just felt so comfortable wearing them”, recalls Lyn.

The hands-on mom became intrigued about the ‘odd-looking clog-type shoes with the holes in them’ that she looked it up in the Internet and what she came across amazed her. There were countless testimonials from people of all ages posted in various websites. Crocs was eliciting so many passionate fans from people around the world.

“I learned that the material wasn't plastic or rubber but an innovative product named Croslite, which is a closed-cell resin. It is what makes Crocs so unique and popular. It's bacteria-resistant, soft and molds to the wearer's feet, slip-resistant, and very light that the shoes actually float. Crocs are extremely tough that they do just as well in water as on land”, exclaims Lyn.

Lyn was instantly hooked on Crocs! After her husband, renowned architect Patrick Tan expressed his full support to pursue their Crocs distribution for Southern Mindanao, the dynamic mom started making phone calls.

Patrick and Lyn eventually met with then Singaporean Sales Manager for Asia Jeremy Ng in Manila and Crocs Philippine Distributor Carlo Limjuco and the rest, as they say, is history.

Last June 7, 2008, the Tans officially opened their first Crocs Store at the second floor of SM City Davao. Cutting the ribbon was Alec (literally the ‘brainchild’ and inspiration of his parents’ business venture) and Davao City Councilor Susabel Reta.

“Crocs will always primarily be about comfortable and fashionable footwear, but now we've started giving more comfort to other areas of the body as well. One is the new Crocs shoulder straps for our heavy bags. Our latest products are the O-dials (holders of small electronic gadgets), Sling bags, apparel like T-shirts, socks and caps”, Lyn proudly announces.

Moreover, Crocs just introduced the Work Series which include The Bistro, especially designed for use in the kitchen; and the Specialist for Doctors and Nurses and others working in the Health Industry.

Lyn shares that their bestselling Crocs models remain to be the Beach, the standard bearer, and the kids' model like Caymans (including Disney and Nickelodeon by Crocs). She adds that the ‘wash and wear’ nature of Crocs make it so ideal for active kids who like to run around and get muddy with their shoes.

“There’s a Crocs model for everyone in the family! Busy dads and moms can relax and run around in Beach or the open-toed models like Ithaca. For more fashionable moms, there's the wedge sandal Sassari and heeled Cyprus. For ate, there’s the comfy and slim-fitting flats Prima and Malindi; for the adventurous Kuya, the Off-road and the Tikali; and for the energetic kids in the family, the classic Caymans and the new Pelican. In addition, Lolo can join in the Crocs craze by wearing the Islander and for Lola, Cleo and Capri”, suggests Lyn who knows the various Crocs models by heart.

Being a Crocs distributor turned out to be the right fit for this entrepreneurial mom!

In Davao City, Crocs are available at The Oak and Acorn, Door No. 5, Residencia del Marina, Jacinto Street (Tel. 3006624), Chimes Specialty Store, Sales Street and Crocs Store, Second Floor, SM City Davao.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-06-07T09:24:00.009+08:00

"Bangkok family adventure"
Sun.Star Davao, June 7, 2008

“What?!! You went to Bangkok and didn’t shop to the max?”, a friend of mine surprisingly asked when I told her about our recent 3-night and 4-day trip to Thailand’s ‘City of Angels’.

Of course, any fashionista and shopaholic who has been to Bangkok could only have high praises for its wide array of shopping venues from the affordable night markets to the upscale shopping malls.

However, when planning for our family trips, my siblings, cousins and I have accepted the fact that the vacation is not for us but mainly for our kids whose ages range from 5-10 yrs. old.

So, tempting as it may seem to go astray and shop to our hearts’ content, the adults in the group stuck to the plan to follow our child-friendly itinerary. And, what fun we all had!

Here are some of the family-oriented sites we enjoyed visiting in Bangkok:

Siam Ocean World

On the afternoon that we arrived, our group immediately headed off to Siam Ocean World which is a 15-minute walking distance from our hotel (Arnoma Hotel). We used the efficient and well-ventilated overpasses in getting there to avoid the sweltering Bangkok heat (the temperature rose as high as 38 degrees Celsius during our trip!) on the street.

Located at the basement of the posh Siam Paragon Shopping Mall, Siam Ocean World prides itself in being Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium featuring 400 extraordinary species of sea animals.

The popular underwater attraction is divided into seven different zones, namely: Weird and Wonderful, Deep Reef, Living Ocean, Rainforest, Rocky Shore, Open Ocean and Sea Jellies.

The kids were delighted to see fishes and mammals of all sizes and colors such as sharks, sting rays, sea jellies, penguins, otters and many others housed in different aquariums.

Our visit was truly educational as the children could read information about the featured marine animals on various computers. There were also several small theaters for video displays and interesting trivia.

On board the Glass Bottom Boat, we had a blast watching an assortment of sea creatures swimming below us.

The Sanyo 4D Xventure, on the other hand, is a simulated 4D show which can be both enjoyable and scary (for younger children) as the seats vibrate, mist suddenly blows into your face and wind touches your feet depending on the scenes in the short film.

Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo

For our second day, after taking a cruise along the Chao Phraya River and visiting Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) in the morning, we proceeded to the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo for buffet lunch.

At the zoo, we were able to take photos with Bengal tigers for only 100 baht (inclusive of souvenir photo) and baby elephants for just 20 baht. At 10 baht, you can personally feed bananas to the delightful elephants.

The Elephant Theme Show was quite entertaining as elephants gamely demonstrated how they worked, played and danced. There was likewise an action-packed reenactment of the battles in ancient Siam where elephants dressed in full battle gear were used by Siamese and Burmese armies.

The exciting Crocodile Wrestling Show was also one of the top attractions of the zoo which featured wrestling between men and crocodiles.

Rose Garden and a Royal presence

Our next stop was at the Rose Garden where we witnessed a marvelous cultural presentation which included Thai traditional dances and celebrations, Muay Thai demonstration, sword fighting, to name a few.

Afterwards, we watched an elephant show (shorter than that of Samphran’s) and had a memorable elephant ride for only 50 baht per person.

We would have wanted to explore the Rose Garden’s perfectly manicured grounds further but the rain prevented us from doing so.

Upon returning to our hotel, we were curious to learn why there were so many preparations going on at the lobby. There was even a red carpet from the entrance door to the elevator which no one was allowed to step on.

It turned out that Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsavali, former wife of Thailand’s Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, was going to the hotel for an important function.

The children excitedly waited at the lobby area to witness the arrival of a real life princess! Coincidentally, the following night, we saw Princess Soamsavali again as she graced the opening of an anti-global warming event at Central World Plaza.

Safari World

Our third day was spent at the 800,000 square-meter Safari World which is considered as one of the must-see places for kids in Bangkok.

It is made up of two parks, namely: Safari Park and Marine Park.

At Safari Park, we took an 8-kilometer drive to see lions, tigers, rhinoceros, pelicans, zebras, giraffes and a host of other exotic African and Asian animals freely roaming around in their natural habitats.

I’ve been to other safari parks in several countries before but this is the first time I’ve observed that privately-owned vehicles (our rented van, in this case) were allowed to be used to drive around the said park.

On the other hand, Marine Park has 8 different world-class shows that feature dolphins, polar bears, seal, whales and many more.

We also watched the James Bond-inspired ‘Spy War Action Stunt Spectacular’ and hilarious ‘Hollywood Cowboy Stunt’. Although both shows were in Thai, the kids in our group did not seem to mind as the actions alone were engaging enough.

In addition, Safari World showcased hundreds of exhibits like its Tropical Rain Forest Aviary, Crocodile Garden, Macaw Island, among others.

We likewise tried the Jungle River Cruise which is a fascinating water flume ride through the jungles of Africa and Asia complete with animatronics and special effects.

For only 300 baht each (inclusive of souvenir photo), you get the rare chance of cuddling and feeding a precious tiger cub, playing with funny orangutans and posing with colorful parrots perched on your shoulders and arms.

Dream World

And, finally, on our last day, we visited Dream World, a superb amusement park that exceeded our expectations.

Dream World was certainly a kids’ paradise with its different theme areas like Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, Dream Garden and Dream World Plaza.

Be sure to take an extra memory card and battery for your camera as Dream World is a perfect place to take wonderful photos of your children. You will never get tired taking captivating pictures of creatively-crafted topiaries, charming and whimsical statues, miniature versions of famous landmarks (e.g., Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Statue of Liberty, etc.) and lots more!

Dream World doesn’t only have kiddie rides but other attractions that would thrill the young at heart, too. Not to be missed are the Sky Coaster, Super Splash, Grand Canyon, Hurricane, Go Kart and Flying Carpet.

The family also loved the Giant House where everything was gargantuan. Common household items such as spoons, forks, beds, chairs shoes and brooms were 50 times bigger.

The absolute highlight of the kids’ stay in Dream World was Snow Town. Donning our boots and thick jackets, we entered this Winter Wonderland with real snow, igloos, snowman, sleighs as well as polar bear, penguin, walrus replicas. Hey, we even got the chance to visit Santa Claus’ house!

So, if you’ve already brought your family to Hong Kong or Singapore and are looking for your next Asian destination, why not try Bangkok? An amazing family adventure awaits you!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-05-31T09:57:00.007+08:00

"Kids in the Kitchen"
Sun.Star Davao, May 31, 2008

What happens when you let 19 active kids ages 7 to 12 years old bake and cook all at the same time? Unavoidable chaos but definitely, loads of fun! Never mind the occasional spills here and there.

With the growing popularity of cooking shows and culinary schools and hit movies like “Ratatouille”, children nowadays are becoming more interested and exposed than ever before to the culinary arts.

That was why when the Center for Asian Culinary Studies (CACS) Davao organized their first-ever “Kids in the Kitchen” class with Manila-based chef-instructor Toto Erfe, the limited student slots were promptly filled up.

Chef Toto is currently the assistant of CACS and Café Ysabel’s Chef Gene Gonzales. He belonged to the team of Chef Gene when they represented the country in the Philippine Gastronomic Festival at Meritus Mandarin Singapore and did the logistical planning for the ASEAN Tourism Forum in 2006. In addition, Chef Toto is a food writer for the Manila Bulletin.

For two days, the eager little chefs were taught how to make yummy kid-approved recipes such as Easy Mac and Cheese, Chicken Fingers, Seafood Gumbo, Apple and Walnut Crumble ala Mode, Toblerone Pannacotta, Banana Split, Giant Meatballs Spaghetti, Sausage and Egg Casserole, Tuna Apple Salad Cheesemelt, Butter Cupcakes, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies as well as Mango and Strawberry Freeze.

After each session, the young foodies couldn’t wait to try their specially prepared dishes and desserts. Aside from the basic culinary skills, kids learned to be patient and careful, pay attention, follow instructions, wait for their turn, participate and be part of a team.

Successful graduates of the short culinary course are the following: Jaeda Mackayla Mendoza, Oliver Lorenzo Acena, Kelvin Jefferson Fabello, Andrew Ethan Sumalinog, Jose Lorenzo Maniquis, Cenonina Paola Tapia, Patricia Lauren Serrano, Kristine Denise Sumalinog, Patricia Anne Fabello, Veronica Jane Co, Zoe Alessandra Huang, Anicka Beatriz Teves, Briana Dominique Ramos, Patricia Suarez, Maiquel Jawn Selga, Jan Johann Mendoza, Rachel Tiffany Lucero, Julianne Denise Wong and Abishag Atega.

The kids in toques enjoyed the class so much that I heard one of the participants blurt out, “Sana ganito everyday!”.

If only they could… :-)

Center for Asian Culinary Studies (CACS) Davao is at Holiday Gym and Spa Complex, F. Torres St., DC/Tel. 3002992. Website: www.cacschef.com. E-mail: cacsdvo@gmail.com.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

***

With permission from CACS Davao, I am sharing to you two of the well-loved recipes from the “Kids in the Kitchen” class:

CHICKEN FINGERS

INGREDIENTS:
2 pcs. chicken breast, sliced into fingers
1 tbsp. liquid seasoning
2 tbsp. calamansi juice
1 tbsp. each chopped garlic, salt and pepper, flour, eggs and Japanese bread crumbs

DIP:
¼ cup mustard
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
1 tsp. garlic paste

PROCEDURE:
1. Marinate chicken breast with garlic, liquid seasoning and calamansi juice for at least 30 minutes.
2. Dredge in flour, dip in egg then coat with bread crumbs. Deep fry until golden brown.
For the dip, mix everything and serve on the side.

***

OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:
½ cup Anchor butter or margarine, softened
¼ cup + 2 tbsp. sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 piece egg
½ tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. light corn syrup
¼ cup + 2 tbsp. rolled oats
1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 cup raisin
1 cup walnuts, optional

PROCEDURE:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease cookie sheets with cooking oil. Set aside.
2. Beat together softened Anchor butter with sugar until light. Add the egg, vanilla and honey.
3. Toss together all dry ingredients. Add to creamed butter mixture. Add raisin and nuts. Scoop into desired size or form into logs and freeze. Cut into desired size.
4. Bake in a preheated oven for 10-15 minutes (for small cookies) or until done. Cool.

2008-05-24T14:07:00.000+08:00

"Moms on the ramp"
Sun.Star Davao, May 24, 2008

During the recent Mother’s Day celebration, SM City Davao staged a fabulous fashion show dubbed as “Moms on the Ramp” featuring eleven outstanding moms and their adorable kids held at the mall’s Events Center.

“Beauty with substance was the primary characteristic we looked for with the
model moms we invited. We highlighted their importance as mothers and at the
same time, their other achievements while juggling family life with
career”, shares Russel Alaba, Group Brand Manager for SM Supermalls VISMIN.

He says it was essential for the participants to also have
wonderful personalities which encompass the nature of femininity and the
real essence of womanhood through motherhood.

The stunning model moms were Joan Marie “Joey” Domingo, 105.9 Mix FM station manager and Southern Style executive producer; Rochelle Venutti, professional singer and proprietress of Prego Café; Rona Naidas, Karl’s Koffee Korner owner; Isabelle “Ice” Valderrama, professional model, interior design student, accessory designer and events organizer; Doden de Vera, Gallery J proprietor: Dr. Ida Yap-Patron, dean of Tertiary Education, School of Arts and Sciences and Graduate School of the Philippine Women’s College of Davao; Rossa Charissa “Chari” Gavino, founder and school director of Center for Brighter Beginnings; Ma. Lourdes Socorro Medina-Estanislao, Iluminada Farms, Inc. comptroller and Hijos de Davao vice president; Dinah Goño, print and commercial model, Mutya ng Kalikasan 2000 and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Davao 1st runner-up; Ma. Emerald Gross-Singson, managing assistant to artist-husband, Chad Borja and Grosswoods Enterprises proprietor; and dynamic lawyer and mother of 2, Susan Cariaga.

Russel reveals it was not entirely easy convincing most of the first-time model moms to be part of the show as there were several rehearsals plus fittings which were quite time-consuming.

However, upon learning that multi-awarded designer Emi Ingles of the Philippine Women’s College of Davao was choreographing the show, the moms got excited. They also looked forward to the ‘glamor shots’ session at Lito Sy Photo Studio with their kids.

Other sponsors for the event included Maldita, Mags Closet Boutique, X-quisite and SM Department Store.

Aside from the fashion show, SM City Davao organized “Treats for Moms”, these are fun mommy-related activities such as On the Spot Mom Painting Contest, On the Spot Mom Photo Session, Mom’s Wall of Greetings and a free beauty mommy make-over.

“For Mother's Day, we wanted to convey the message that the celebration was a tribute to all the special and selfless mothers in the city. No pressures, no worries,
but plain fun and excitement which we believe we fully accomplished”, ends Russel.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-05-17T09:21:00.004+08:00

"Eating Right for Kids"
Sun.Star Davao, May 17, 2008

In the most recent National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, there has been a doubling of obesity rates of children here in the Philippines.

“This might be due to the decrease in the physical activities of a typical Filipino child. Children, nowadays, are so engrossed in watching television or playing computer games that they have no more time to exercise. We should allow our kids at least 60 minutes a day to run and play actively”, explains Sharlynne Grace “Shay” Tagle-Serapio.

Shay is a registered nutritionist-dietitian who graduated from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2003. She is also a U.S.-registered dietitian and U.S.-registered nurse.

Last March 2008, she finished her Masters in Educational Management from the University of Immaculate Conception (UIC) where she teaches at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. UIC is the only school in Davao City that offers the Nutrition course.

Married to missionary Mike Serapio, 25-year old Shay is an active member of the Nutritionists’-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines (NDAP), both in the Davao and mother chapters. In addition, she is a member of the American Dietetic Association and serves as the Philippines’ country representative to the American Overseas Dietetic Association.

Shay is likewise the Program Development Head of their family-owned Nurse Care Review Center at the ATU Complex along Duterte St. and teaches Nutrition for Nurses as well as Test Taking Strategies for the NCLEX Exam.

I am sharing to you my interview with Shay as she discusses useful information on “Eating Right for Kids”:

Why is it important to start educating young children about the importance of good nutrition?

Childhood is a crucial stage to educate the importance of good nutrition. It is in this stage that kids are very receptive to learning, develop their eating habits and realize their food likes and dislikes.

Nutrition is vital because children are growing and need to be provided with all the essential nutrients the body needs for both brain and growth development. It is in this time that parents should teach their child about proper nutrition which they can carry on throughout their life.

In the Philippines, it is unfortunate that schools do not consult nutritionists for the meals that are being served in canteens. In the U.S., it’s the nutritionist/dietitian who plans the cafeteria menu to ensure the healthy food items for children. Even the public schools in the U.S. have the School Lunch Program that is being planned and reviewed by registered dietitians.

Define what a balanced diet is for young children.

A balanced diet should always be considered in preparing a child's meal. It should have the six complete essential nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.

This is best illustrated in the Food Pyramid. It shows how much servings of food in the food groups we should give our children. (Check out www.fnri.dost.gov.ph to view the food pyramid for Filipino kids).

Parents play a big role in this since children tend to have “food jags” (e.g., constantly eating only one or two foods like hotdog and fried chicken). We should keep in mind that children should eat a variety of foods everyday since no one food can provide all the nutrients a child needs in a day. It is therefore the parents’ responsibility to make mealtime pleasant and provide healthy foods.

Define obesity. How do you know if your child is obese?

We define obesity by referring to the International Reference Standards by the World Health Organization. Obesity is defined if the child’s weight-for-age falls above the 95 percentile.

What are the complications/diseases associated with obesity?

Complications/diseases for obese children are similar with adults. Obese children may also have increased blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac output, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and hyperlipidemia and other health problems.

Older children may develop hip and knee problems from obesity and may suffer from the social stigma attached to obesity. Obese children have an 85% chance of becoming obese adults if they are obese after the age of 10.

How can we prevent our children from being obese?

In preventing children from being obese, we always have to provide them with nutritious food to eat, and together with that, they should be able to have ample physical activity to increase their basal metabolic rate.

How early can a child start dieting? Do you recommend it? Please explain.

Children should not be put on "diets". Children are growing, therefore if weight can be maintained by exercise and physical activity, obesity can be avoided.

Weight control boils down to energy balance. Meaning, if calories consumed equal calories burned, there should be no problem.

Do you have tips on how parents can be creative in serving vegetables to children? How do we encourage our kids to eat vegetables?

Children learn best by imitation. Parents can greatly help their children eat vegetables by being good examples to them. If kids see their parents eat vegetables, they will most likely be interested in eating vegetables as well.

In introducing vegetables to children, make sure you introduce one new vegetable at a time, let their taste buds adjust to the new taste gradually. If children don't like it, don't stop trying. They will get used to the taste in time. For recipes, check out this site: www.easy-kids-recipes.com/vegetable-casserole-recipes.html.

How can we balance giving our children “good” food as well as junk food and fast food treats?

Remember that parents have the control in their children's food habits. Parents hold the key. No food is bad for children. All food will definitely have nutrients but if taken in excess, this would be a different story.

There is nothing wrong in eating at fast food chains, but if your child eats fast food every day, this practice should be changed. Instead, we should provide kids with foods that are healthier and nutritious. Meaning, if you don't want them eating junk food, don't buy junk food. Rather buy biscuits, cookies, bread, ‘kakanin’ and other healthier snacks.

Sandwiches and nutrient dense foods are better snacks compared with those that are just high in fats and salt. However, it is acceptable to give kids occasional chocolates and candies.

Do you recommend vitamins/food supplements for kids? Why or why not?

Parents should be cautious in giving vitamins/food supplements for kids. If children are eating well and taking nutritious foods, there is really no need for vitamins/food supplements.

Toxicity cases on chewable vitamins have been reported in the U.S. because children take these like candies. Parents should not allow these because vitamins can be toxic if taken in large amounts.

But for children with problems in appetite, their physician might recommend vitamin supplements. But again, let's just be cautious with these products, because not all of these have sufficient studies on safety. Food is still the safest source of vitamins and minerals.

How many calories should a child consume in a day?

In computing for calorie needs for children, we use the formula = 1000 + (age in years x 100). There is a table on average caloric requirements by age in this website: www.keepkidshealthy.com/nutrition/calorie_requirements.html.

How many calories should a child burn in a day?

There are no exact numbers for this question. But like what I mentioned, energy balance is intake equals output. So with adequate exercise and physical activity the child can burn the calories.

Do you recommend that parents prepare a meal plan for their kids?

A meal plan is definitely a good way to think about the menu and food items best for your kids. However, not all parents are well versed about doing meal planning.

So, for parents who have the patience to read and study a little on meal planning, it is great to do a meal plan for your kids. Meal planning gives an opportunity for the parents to plan the foods that their children eat. They can plan food items that may vary and can also spend time in thinking about new recipes and healthier snacks for their children.

This will also allow parents to know the meals that their children will be eating which means that they can be able to assess and evaluate the meals before they serve them to their kids.

Do you have an active group of nutritionists here in Davao?

Yes, we have an active group of nutritionists here in Davao, The Nutritionists'-Dietitians' Association of the Philippines (NDAP) Davao Chapter. I am proud to say that we are a dynamic group and just last March 13-14, 2008 in Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, our chapter hosted the 53rd Annual National Convention for NDAP.

We are present in hospitals, schools, fitness centers, specialty health centers, and public health institutions. These institutions make sure they hire a nutritionist-dietitian. On the other hand, for the hospitals, the ratio is that they have to hire one nutritionist-dietitian for every 75 beds.

Lastly, what services can nutritionists offer parents/kids who would like to consult with them?

Nutritionists can offer parents/kids advices to good nutrition in general and to the specifics like a meal plan for children. Nutritionists are known to be the experts in food and nutrition. Therefore, in terms of expert advice regarding food and proper nutrition for children it is still best to consult a nutritionist/dietitian.

To get in touch with Ms. Shay Tagle-Serapio, you may call her at tel. no. 2258124 (Nurse Care Review Center) or e-mail her at shaytagleserapio@yahoo.com.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-05-10T12:48:00.007+08:00

"A blend of brew and books"
Sun.Star Davao, May 10, 2008

Kangaroo Coffee Company. The name of one of the latest coffee shops to open in Davao excited me. “This must be a foreign franchise”, I thought.

However, upon visiting the place, I pleasantly discovered that the coffee shop is proudly homegrown.

“It all started out as a joke made by one of the owners about setting up a competing coffee shop right in front of a similar sounding coffee shop”, shares Mark Seng, Kangaroo Coffee Company’s Marketing Manager.

“For that particular person's birthday that year, we actually set up an "al fresco" coffee bar in a vacant parking lot to surprise him. We borrowed a small espresso machine and everything had to be done manually, but we managed to do the basic cappuccinos and lattes for that event”, Mark fondly recalls.

Afterwards, Mark’s group began getting bookings for events in their church and friends’ houses where they used the "Kangaroo" name.

By then, the name already stuck and later when they were deciding what to call their coffee shop, "Kangaroo" was the most reasonable alternative because it already had so much brand recall.

Passion for coffee

Mark says that he and his business partners opened Kangaroo because of their passion for good coffee, food, and conversation. For them, Kangaroo is an ideal venue to share their passion with others.

“All the partners contributed to the operations of Kangaroo. One of us has worked for an international coffee chain before. Another one has extensive experience in cooking and baking. Most of the other owners are also entrepreneurs themselves with their own businesses, and so they also bring their business acumen to the table”, reveals the U.K.-educated Mark.

Mark recommends the White Chocolate Mocha (Espresso, steamed milk, and white chocolate topped with whipped cream, P85), Tsokolatte (Espresso with steamed fresh milk and native chocolate, P87) and Mangoes n’ Cream (Philippine mango syrup in a sweet and creamy Kanga ice-blended delight, P90).

Kangaroo likewise encourages customers to "Customize Your Drink" where they can add espresso, flavors, whipped cream, and other garnishes to their regular drinks for a minimal cost. They have low-fat and decaf options, too.

“The vision of our coffee shop is to “Use Coffee to Inspire People”. We aim to inspire them with our place, our products, and our people, so that they get a meaningful experience every time they come to our shop. We are also actively promoting Mindanao Fair Trade Coffee, which means that our coffee is bought at a sustainable price from local farmers”, points out Mark.

Kid-friendly delights

It is not unusual to see children sitting alongside their parents at Kangaroo.

The coffee shop has kid-friendly Kanga Steamers such as Hot Choco Classic (P76), Native Hot Choco (P65) and Steamed Milk (P66) which one can try with their favorite flavored syrup.

Other Kanga Ice-Blended options are flavored, milky and caffeine-free drinks like Milk Vanilla (P77), Milk Caramel (P82) and Milk Chocolate (P84).

Moreover, Kangaroo’s drinks are on the big size (12 and 16 oz.) so if parents want to share their kids’ drink, just request for an extra cup.

Children are guaranteed to love the Belgian Chocolate Mousse (P90) Chips ‘n Dips (P90), Tuna Sandwich (P70), BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato) Sandwich (P85), Choco Walnut Bar (P70), Cappuccino Bar (P60) and Revel Bar (P60). Kangaroo likewise has a Menu of the Day for Pasta and Drinks of the Month.

In addition, little ones will surely be fascinated with the “appearance latte art”. Mark shares that this is a sign that the drink has been done properly.

The most common designs are heart and rosette. But, Mark adds that the designs are actually only limited to the barista’s imagination. I was quite delighted with the creative barista’s Casper (The Friendly Ghost) and fish interpretations.

A blend of brew and books

“Our lighting is brighter than most coffee shops because we have an in-house library for our customers who want to read our selection of books, magazines and newspapers, although we can dim the lights upon the customer’s request. We also have free wi-fi internet access”, announces Mark.

“The interiors were conceptualized with privacy in mind. The furniture is inspired by neo-classical design, the centerpiece being our wingback chairs”, continues Mark whose family is in the home furnishings business.

As a welcome bonus, OMF Literature Bookshop is just beside the coffee shop.

Mark tells that OMF is the “country's largest publisher of Christian books which offers a wealth of resources for practical living, church and ministry references, family and relationship helps, devotionals, children's stories, and many others”.

OMF Literature has recently marked its 50th year of “Publishing Truth, Shaping Generations”, and is widely known for publishing bestsellers such as “The Purpose Driven Life”, “This is My Story”, and “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”. It has bookshop branches in Cebu and Metro Manila.

Together, Kangaroo Coffee Company and OMF Literature Bookshop provide a warm and inviting atmosphere for Dabawenyo coffee and book lovers to slow down and stay a while.

Truly, a perfect blend of brew and books!

Special thanks to my brother Jasper Huang for the photos you see on this page.

Kangaroo Coffee Company and OMF Literature Bookshop officially opens today, May 10, 2008. Both are located at Ground Floor Mitaji Bldg., Tionko cor. V. Mapa Sts., Davao City. Kangaroo Coffee Co. tel. no. 222-2ROO or 222-2766. OMF Literature Bookshop tel. no. 221-3416.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-05-03T08:09:00.005+08:00

"2008 World Water Day Int’l. Poster Making Tilt"
Sun.Star Davao, May 3, 2008

Last week, I received this wonderful news from Sammy Juntilla, the father of 10-year old Dave Laurence whom I featured recently in the “1st Ateneo Kiddie Art Exhibit”.

Here is an excerpt of Sammy’s e-mail:

“Good Day! I have read your article about the Kiddie Art Exhibit in Ateneo de Davao Grade School on April 12. Well, thanks to the latest technologies of today, even if I’m in Qatar, I was able to read your article through Sun.Star online.

I’m writing to you because my son, Dave Laurence, participated in the 2008 World Water Day International Poster Making Contest.

This was organized by a non-profit organization called Nature’s Voice Our Choice (NVOC) based in the United States. NVOC focuses on the preservation, conservation and restoration of water resources.

Dave happened to be one of the 2 winners in his age category. Out of 800 students, 13 winners were selected. Two of them are from the Philippines.

According to the organizers, Dave’s poster is an extraordinary representation of what water means in our lives.

Aside from Dave, the other Filipino winner is 10-year old Veronica Gayle Tiu Tangcueco from Binondo, Manila”.

In a press statement sent by NVOC, it bared that winning posters were selected by a panel of four judges specializing in children’s environmental education, anthropology, and international development. The entries were judged on visual message, impact, and creativity.

The chosen posters, which were on display at the Earth Day Festival last April 20, 2008 at the National Mall in Washington DC, USA, will be used in a worldwide water conservation campaign.

All funds generated from this campaign will be used to develop water preservation, conservation and restoration projects in each of the winners’ communities.

“The level of creativity, passion, and energy that students brought to this competition was incredible,” shares NVOC director Brandy Lellou.

“They exceeded our expectations. After we began to see the impact these posters could have on increasing public awareness of water issues, we added a unique ‘action phase’ to the project”, Lellou adds.

Lellou said that the ‘action phase’ is designed to empower students by giving them the opportunity to apply their ideas to the development of concrete solutions to the water resource problems facing their communities.

NVOC acknowledges that “every community in the world suffers from water resource related issues; and today’s students hold the solutions. By fostering their interest, encouraging creative thinking, and empowering them to act; students can achieve tangible results and become agents of change in their communities”.

NVOC will work closely with each of the winning students to create a committee of the students’ peers and mentors that will identify a water resource related problem within the community.

With technical and financial support from NVOC, they will develop and implement a sustainable solution.

“We would like to thank all the students who put such creative energy into expressing what water means in their lives. We believe that these posters will make an impact on their viewers and inspire them become more proactive in the preservation and conservation of their community’s water resources”, concludes Lellou.

***

And, here’s more good news from Dave’s mom, Dinky!

Dave was also one of the Commendation Prize Winners of the recently concluded 17th International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment with the theme “Climate Change: Actions You Can Take Now”.

In its website, www.roap.unep.org, it stated that the prestigious competition invited “children aged 6-14 to express through painting actions they can take to reduce the impact of climate change such as using renewable energy, introducing energy saving light bulbs at home, sharing vehicles and using public transport, planting trees etc.”.

Jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE), Bayer and Nikon, this annual painting competition has been held since 1990 and has so far received over 200,000 entries from children in over 100 countries.

According to its website, “the International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment is part of UNEP's TUNZA strategy for children and youth. TUNZA is a word in Kiswahili that means to “treat with care”. The program aims to provide young people with information and tools on how to “treat Mother Earth with care” and how to act for a better world”.

Congratulations to Dave for his amazing achievements! The people of Davao are very proud of you.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.

2008-04-26T09:10:00.007+08:00

"SonTreasure Island"
Sun.Star Davao, April 26, 2008

“On this warm Caribbean island, there is treasure to be found. More precious than gold, more lasting than diamonds, it's the greatest treasure of all—God's love”.

The Davao Evangelical Church (DEC) recently held another successful Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) with the theme “SonTreasure Island” for almost 500 kids aged 4-12 years old.

Every summer, the DVBS is one of the most anticipated activities for children from various schools in the city with diverse religious backgrounds.

Past DVBS themes include “Treasures of the Nile” (2004); “Power Up” (2005); “Construction Zone” (2006); and “Kingdom of the Son-A Prayer Safari (2007).

These enjoyable and artistic courses have been taken from Gospel Light, a Christian publishing house in the U.S. which produces Christian literature like Sunday School and DVBS.

Majority of the volunteer teachers were church members who willingly gave their time and talents serving the Lord. They came from different backgrounds and professions such as bankers, teachers, doctors, housewives, businessmen, college and high school students, among others.

For five fun days, little treasure seekers learned how Jesus' life illustrated God's love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. Lively songs, imaginative craft activities, exhilarating games and Bible stories all carried the vibrant Caribbean theme.

Through their thrilling Caribbean adventures, children discovered that ‘God’s Love is Giving’, ‘God’s Love is Kind’, ‘God’s Love is Caring’, God’s Love is Forgiving’, and ‘God’s Love is Forever’.

The DEC will continue its “SonTreasure Island” theme during Sunday school activities from 8:30-9:30 a.m. until May 25, 2008. All kids are welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact DEC’s Ms. Evelyn Cang or Mr. Aris Blas at tel. nos. 2213115 and 2276421.

I am sharing to you pictures of the well-attended event taken by Imagine Fotofun Digital Express.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.