We survived the entire school year after the hilaan, kumbinsihan, and iyakan period that lasted for almost a year (hehe).  As I've always mentioned in some of my previous posts, Chesska is shy to many people as she's only comfortable with her own territory (I mean our house) where she feels a lot safer and can do anything she wants to do. Until now, she remained afraid to dive outside her comfort zone. That's why when I sent her to a regular and big school several months ago, I knew that dozens of challenges awaited her as a pupil,  and for us as parents.

But the one-year challenge is finally over! 

Despite the tough times that Chesska had been through,  she was able to finish her school with Flying Colors. Well, I was already expecting it long before I received the school's program the day before the Recognition Day in which her name was written as Third Honors. In fact, Chesska was a consistent honor from the first grading up to the third grading period, so being Third Honor in the class is no longer a surprise.

So last week,  I took a leave of absence just to attend my child's Recognition Day,  giving academic and meritorious awards to children who only not excel in IQ but in EQ as well. I was so ecstatic to accompany my child march on the stage and personally place the medal on her neck. And we couldn't be more proud!

3rd Honors and Most Behaved Awards

We were pleasantly surprised when she was awarded as the most behaved in school, where in fact at home she's the most energetic (lolz).

Chesska's classmates

I know, Chesska is not yet graduated from this challenge for she has a long road yet to take and many foods to crave. But we assure her of our 100% support, undying love, and care so she can survive in this crazy world that we live in.

We are officially entering the summer season and I hate to admit that I don't like hot weather. Aside from it makes us sweat and uncomfortable all the time, it also started to take a toll on our health. In fact, around three weeks ago, my older daughter suffered from whooping cough and we all terribly got infected (our house was very noisy as we barked altogether. hehe). Then one week after, my two girls got a hand and foot disease as I learned it usually occurred during summer time as this.

However, there's something fascinating in the summer season that we are always looking forward to, that is to find a haven to cool down and take a fresh air in our system.  Agree?  So when my mother-in-law told us to scout a place for our family outing, the first thing that immediately entered my mind is go somewhere that is cold and refreshing. Until our neighbor, just next door suggested Dhen Yho's Place whom she and her family just recently visited.  Never had I heard the place before but when she gave a positive review about it, we decided to give it a whirl!

From Toril, Davao City, it took us 1 hour and 30 minutes trip going to Brgy. Kapatagan, Digos using a private car. We arrived at around 8:30 in the morning and great thing that we're able to capture the country's highest peak, Mt. APO clearly without the interference of the clouds yet.

Magnificent View of Mt. Apo

Lee Family

Two hours later, the peak was already covered with clouds (as seen in the picture above). Your adventure is never complete without taking a vivid picture of Mt. Apo so our timing was just perfect!

Two swimming pools for adults and kids.

We had to take a dozen of steps descending to the swimming pool. I didn't bath as the water was very cooold. Moreover, the area is highly elevated so we got a splendid bird's eye view of Brgy. Kapatagan, surrounded by lush scenery and mountains.

Capture from the Swimming Pool

Kublai Art Graden

One of Kublai's Artworks

Agung House

Dhen Yho's Cottage for 500 pesos

Road Going to the Center of Brgy. Kapatagan

Dhen Yho's Canteen

Function Hall

I genuinely love the place and the weather is cold all day but getting to Dhen Yho's place is a little bit of concern for me as the road is very steep and you have to go through a lot of curves up and down (piso na lng pamasahe para langit), which is not safe for children. If you drive your own car, make sure it is in good condition and to fill the tank as there's no gasoline station along the way. The path going to the parking lot of the resort is rough and uncemented so some car owners just left and parked their cars downstairs. Obviously, the resort is not yet fully developed and there are still lots of parts to improve so they can attract more tourists to visit.

Dhen Yho's Place is located at Kinambulan, Brgy. Kapatagan, Digos City.  You may contact them through their Facebook page.

Entrance Fee: 25 pesos

Swimming pool:

   100 - Adult
     50 - Kids

Cottage: 500

Tent: 100

No Foods Corkage

A weekend ago, my friends at the same time my fellow and former teachers of Davao Central High School where I taught for five years organized a reunion to welcome our very dear friend, Anelyn. We haven't seen her for over two years as she's been living in the US with her husband who is an American and at the same time a doctor. So each time she is planning to come home, she never forgets to give us a buzz - of course, our usual venue to exchange conversations is through group chat on Facebook.  So my friends decided to have a gathering at Camella's clubhouse, just a few walks away from the Camella condo where Anelyn and her family chose to stay for a month.

I'd like to share our photos and I feel great to see and spend time with them again knowing they are very busy with their own lives and careers now.

Just grabbed this photo from Luisa through her Facebook account (hehe).

Sorry, I was not there in the picture because I arrived very late in the afternoon as I still had an online job. I was surprised when they invited our former principal, Ma'am Celia Andas (one sitting down), as we used to be afraid of her due to her intimidating presence and strict administrative style towards teachers. But as seen in the picture, it seems that the atmosphere was cordial and relaxed (hehe). I was not able to catch up her as she went home early.
From left to right (standing): Matt (Anelyn's husband), Anelyn, Cheryl, Ma'am Celia, Imee, Vanessa, Rachel, Luisa, Marivic, and the kids.
 I requested to have a group picture again with me and I noticed we are getting fat-sign of progress.

I am fond of reading books! This is absolutely one of the hobbies that I'd like to pass on to Chesska who is about to finish her pre-school (thankfully) this coming 3rd week of March. As much as I want to teach her how to read in advance, I had no idea how to begin doing it until I stumbled upon an article over a couple of weeks ago which says, the most basic way of teaching children how to read is just simply read with them over and over again.

We used to read books together during my free time and her fondness towards books was evident as she loved flipping the pages, naming pictures, and even pretending reading.  But ever since I gave birth to Psalm, then resumed to my work, we weren't able to do this routine again. I felt guilty for not spending quality time with her as you know I am wearing hats simultaneously. But just last weekend, I had a lightbulb moment that if I would not continue the things that we were used to be doing, she might be losing her interest.

So starting last Monday up to now whenever I am free, I began to read with her again especially before she took a nap in the afternoon or before going to bed at night. It feels so great to see my child smiling and having the feeling that she was given the attention that she needed.

By the way, here are the books that we kept on reading by Read at Home which we bought at Booksale, SM Ecoland for 150 pesos only. Excellent finds!

Well, one of the books that captured my attention was Kipper's Weather Week by Roderick Hunt. The book tells obviously about the weather and days of the week, just in time with Chesska's lesson last week.  Another one is The Spaceship.  Inside the cover page, I saw some helpful reminders how to teach children about reading and I am so pleased to share them with you.

Children learn best when reading is fun.

1. Talk about the title and the pictures on the cover.
2. Discuss what you think the story might be about.
3. Read the story together, inviting your child to read with you.
4. Give lots of praise as your child reads with you.
5. Try different ways of helping if they get stuck on a word. For example: read the first sound or syllable of the word, read the whole sentence, or refer to the picture. Focus on the meaning.
6. Re-read the story later, encouraging your child to read as much of it as they can.


Reading with my child is a great opportunity for me not only to make up the time I missed with her but also making her feel that reading is fun and she will learn and discover a lot from it.

Disclosure: All the opinions expressed are 100% mine. 

I mentioned in my previous post about dining at Kuya J.  I kept watching its commercial from TV a couple months ago, endorsed by celebrity actor, Jerico Rosales, and mentally noted to try this new restaurant one of these days. So last Thursday, during my birthday, my family and I went to Kuya J at SM annex, Ecoland to try some of their dishes.

Here's what we ordered and my honest review.

chicken salad with sesame dressing for 150

I was anticipating mainly more chicken meat in the salad but I got surprised when it contained more lettuces than the former.  It was my fault for not reading the description in the menu book anyway. As much as I love vegetable salad,  the taste is not a winner for me. I disliked the crispy pastry wrapper (on top of the lettuce) and the lettuce is a little bitter.

creamy seafood and soup - 150

This soup is too creamy and flavorful. I don't know, but it's hard to please my taste bud now after getting rid of vetsin (msg) each time we cook at home for almost two years now. But don't get discouraged to try this, maybe what is awful for me is tasteful for you.

calamares for 130

No complaint about Calamares. It did taste good!

Grilled Scallops for 165

The grilled scallop is Kuya J's best-seller. The scallop itself is tender and I dearly love its cheese and butter toppings. I almost consumed half of its number. My husband and mother like it very much, too. Of all the dishes we ordered, this one is a champion!

Kuya J Chicken (half) for 200

We first ordered lechon kawali but it sold out fast so we opted to order chicken since Chesska loves it very much. I find their chicken as ordinary as the other chicken out there. Probably, I am just a huge fan of Mang Epoy's litson manok in Puan which is tastier and juicier than Kuya J's.

Cebuano mango cheesecake - 110

For our dessert, I ordered Cebuano mango cheesecake which contains graham, cream cheese, and mango. The cream cheese is yummy but the mango is not as sweet as I expected. The graham at the bottom of the jar is so tough to scoop out with a spoon. Perhaps, it was overly frozen.

If I were to describe their foods, place, price, crew,  and service in one word, it would be:

Foods: GOOD.

Place: CLASSY!

Price: AFFORDABLE.

Service: GREAT.

Crew: ATTENTIVE.

My Family

Baby Psalm

FOODS

In front of Kuya J

Taking picture in front of hearts display since Valentines day is fast approaching