I have been dreaming of sending my daughter to a prestigious and competitive school. Our first pre-school option for Chesska was to enroll her at Precious International School of Davao at Matina crossing. I have been hearing a lot of good things about Precious. One of which is students are required to speak English in the campus. But upon knowing the heavy traffic during peak hours, and during school days - usually begins in the morning - it turned me off. I cannot guarantee the condition of our old car to get through heavy traffics, fearing it may get broken in the middle of the road anytime. It will be a total mess, haha.! Also, trying to commute daily can be exhausting for my 4-year old.

Let me tell you the important reasons why we enrolled Chesska at San Pedro College.

1. Convenient Location

Upon weighing the options between Precious and San Pedro, the latter is much nearer to our house. San Pedro is located at Ulas, just 15-minute ride from Bago Gallera where we live. On the other hand, a trip to Precious will take us for about 40 minutes in a moderate traffic. See the convenience?

2. Modern Facilities

San Pedro just started its operation in 2012 (if I am not mistaken).  As you can see, the school's facilities are almost all new and the environment looks refreshing which can help students learn effectively. That's why when we first visited San Pedro to check its facilities, we were already inclined to enroll Chesska there.

Fasten your belt as I tour you around the school's exterior. 

San Pedro College Basic Education Building

Pathway going to the main entrance.

Wide playground

Ronan and Chesska using the pathway to stay away from the scorching heat of the sun

State-of-the-Art gymnasium

More tables in front of the canteen

Another school playground

School's canteen

Parents queuing as they claim their children's books

School's interior:

Ronan and Chesska looking for the prep-2 classroom

Chapel where students can pray and reflect

School's clinic with attending nurse

Numerous student's locker

Finance and Registrar's Office

Selection of vending machines

Healthy snacks vending machine

Clean comfort room for girls

3.  Integrate Christian Values to the Curriculum, not merely Pure Academic. 

Aside from it's Catholic, which is one of the factors that I enrolled Chesska in San Pedro, the Vision, Mission, and Goals of the school have convinced us to enroll Chesska in the said school. In fact, when I personally accompanied my child throughout the first week of classes, I noticed how the students were courteous, organised, and disciplined. The school has also read scriptures daily before the classes begin.



4. Preschool Classroom is Conducive to Learning

This is precisely the ideal classroom I wanted to have for my 4-year old. The pleasant ambience can effectively contribute to the learning of the child.

Air-conditioned classroom, proper lighting, and tidy classroom

Attractive walls painted with different animals and characters

Small and colourful workstations

Spacious classroom so students can move comfortably

Nice bulletin board

That is so far I have in mind why I enrolled Chesska in San Pedro College. For me, student and teacher's good relationship is more important and has more impact and long-lasting effect on the child's academic and social development. I overheard that their preschool teacher is still new and when I first observed her during the first day of classes, she didn't show a "motherly approach" to the young children as what I expected her to be (maybe she's shy to talk with us yet). Well, I will give her a benefit of the doubt. I wish she can help my daughter develop her self-confidence and overcome her shyness as the days go by. I know, it will take a while.

Preschool class has just officially started this week in San Pedro College Grade School Department, and I am proud to announce that I am now a parent of a pre-schooler (hehe). And definitely, there is a huge change in our daily schedule from sleeping time to eating time to bath time and the like. Let me share you my first-hand experience during the first day of class.
Nobody likes to be woken up especially when you are in a sound sleep. But we have no choice but to wake up as early as 5 am. Chesska was used to staying up late, but we just reminded her to sleep early just a couple of nights ago. I know, it takes a while for Chesska to adapt the new schedule. We should have trained her one month before the class begins. It's our fault anyway.
Chesska usually whines every time Ronan wakes her up especially if she's still sleepy. But earlier, we didn't have a hard time getting her up but in order to get her senses active, I turned on the TV and bottle-fed her right away. Chesska is still not weaned from the bottle so feeding time is really time-consuming. It took her 30 minutes to finish her milk.

Chesska also hates morning bath. She hates cold water or having her hair washed. So I had to mix warm water for her to go bathing.
Feeding time has always been a challenge. Preparing foods that suit to her appetite has been more challenging. Chesska is picky and slow eater. She's only enticed to eat if there's something new prepared on the table. As much as I want to avoid processed food as hotdog, I was forced to prepare it! But as soon as, she gets used to breakfast, I will try to prepare a variety of healthy foods. Feeding time will take 20-30 minutes.
As I have just mentioned, I am mainly concerned of how to wake Chesska up early in the morning so we can have ample time preparing everything before we leave the house at 6:45 am to avoid traffic congestion during peak hours. Luckily, our trip was very smooth as I noticed that only a few schools have just started their classes. I expect heavy traffic by next week.
Yes, I am excited but at the same time anxious of how my child behaves in school. We all know that first day of school can be scary for little ones especially if you introduce them into a situation where they are not yet ready. Though I have been schooling Chesska for several months but interacting with teachers and classmates is definitely another story.  So at the moment, I will have to accompany my child to school up to Friday so she can adjust with the new learning set-up.
We arrived early in the school. Suffice to say, the room is very attractive and conducive to learning. In fact, Chesska made a funny pose as I took picture of her.
But as soon as her other classmates arrived, she started to become shy. Some of them were roaming around and getting along with others while Chesska was just sitting on her chair, holding me tightly not to leave her alone.
But when the teacher instructed us, parents, to go out, she became teary-eyed. She told me "Mama don't go out". But I have to do so, not only because it was the teacher's instruction, it's because I want to teach her independence. But good to know, she didn't go hysterical, unlike the other boy who cried at the top of his voice when his mama left him. As I peeped through the door glass, I saw that she was so anxious, uncomfortable,  and just observing things around her. On dismissal time, I asked the teacher how Chesska behaved throughout the period, she said Chesska didn't respond to their questions nor participate in the activities. I told her "maybe teacher she is still adjusting to the new environment". The teacher just gave me a nod.

I am hoping that my child will overcome her shyness and fear. I am also hoping that the teacher will do something to motivate my child to participate and develop her self-confidence. I am looking forward to positive results as my child enters into a new milestone - the preschool years.

How about you mom, how's your first day of school?

While aimlessly scanning my photo album from my computer earlier, I quickly remembered that I failed to blog our getaway at Seagull Mountain Resort which happened last year November! I haven't given much attention to my blog since I actively started campaigning for my presidential bet online. (Glad to know he won by a big margin hehe..) Now, I am back into regular blogging (hopefully).

My Family

By the way, I grabbed a screenshot from my Facebook post, showing our trip while heading to Seagull Mountain Resort in an early, chilly morning dated November 15, 2015. Yeah, a kind of old trip but I assure you my memory is still fresh to detail out our itinerary.


I have been hearing a lot about Seagull Mountain Resort from my friends, much more in social media. I must admit,  though we are natives of Davao yet we have never been to this place ever. Until my husband and I decided to go there during our fifth wedding anniversary last year.
The trip would not be complete without stopping by at one of the Davao's landmarks, Philippine Eagle statue, located at Brgy. Marilog District, approximately 30-minute closer to Seagull. Believe me, the breeze is much colder than our car and home air-condition. Marilog is well-known for cool weather all year round.


As soon as we arrived there, we were mobbed right away by some native children who were selling hand-made products at a very affordable price. The children were unshaken by the cold weather while us were chilling terribly.


This girl was carrying her younger sister, tied at her back with a "malong" while begging us to buy her products. Who could ever refuse from this cute petite girl?


Seagull Mountain resort receiving area where you pay the entrance fee and book for cottages if you wish for an over-night stay.

On the way up for sight-seeing

The resort consists of two swimming pools, one is located at the main resort and the other one where the main source of water is coming from the waterfalls is around 500-meters away from the main. They have their own cab to take you out of the rough terrain going to the waterfalls.

My family while chatting and enjoying the foods we brought in the cottage.

Waterfalls view

Chesska and her cousin, unminding the icy-cold water.

Going closer to the waterfalls for picture-taking.

We didn't stay longer in the pool for the coldness was intolerable. Just imagine that you are dipping in a pitcher of ice-cold water.

One of  the few cottages

One of the few cottages located in the main

Campsite

Another captivating view

Breathtaking view

Reservations Office
Door 2, Braveheart Building, McArthur Highway
Davao City (Fronting Matina Petron or old ABS-CBN Station)
Tel. No.: +(6382) 298-5990
Mondays - Saturdays, 8AM - 5PM

Mountain Resort Office
Tel No.: +(6382) 286-4124
Mondays - Sundays, 8AM to 5PM

Beach Resort Front Office
Tel No.: +(6382) 301-0097 or +(6382) 301-0100
Mondays - Sundays, 8AM to 5PM

Inland Resort Office
Tel No.: +(6382) 286-3233
Mondays - Sundays, 8AM to 5PM

I am supposed to discuss /f/ sound and make a Frog Life Cycle but my model for each stage is not yet complete. For example, I couldn't find tadpole or even adult frog anywhere at the store. So I better skipped this activity and jumped into /s/ sound. If you are wondering why it is just too far, from F to S, don't worry, according to studies it doesn't matter if you teach letters in a sequential manner. I also decided to go through /s/ sound because I had materials ready for our sea creatures adventure in sensory bin. There are actually a lot of things we can discuss about that start with S using sea creatures sensory play.

Idea from: Teachingmama.org

To align with the concept, I prepared SEA creatures sensory bin. Chesska loves so much sensory play where she can explore or pretend making a story based on what she sees and feels. True enough, sensory activity has calming effects that it will help your child do away from tantrums.
Since we talked about /s/ sound, I took the opportunity to tackle about things that start with the letter S - shells, squid, seaweed, stone, sea, and many others.
It is a great and fascinating activity to do outdoor, too. Plus it does not only develop cognitive growth, as well as fine motor skills.
How do you like our sensory activity for this week? Be the first one to drop your thoughts on the comment form below. If you find this post helpful, please do like my Facebook page here. Your single click means a lot to me. Thank you and have a blessed weekend.

Hello! I'm still kicking, crawling, jumping. I am still alive. Back into blogging.

I was really stressed for the past months for so many reasons. Work. Motherhood. National Election...Work. Motherhood. National Election.... (Nope, I did not run in any position, I was just an avid supporter of a certain candidate hehe) Aside from that, the weather is getting hotter which is not helping at all so I decided to sit back awhile and research online a superb place just within the Davao vicinity to de-stress.

Until I found Villa de Mercedes Resort website. Upon looking at the nice pictures posted, my gut feeling told me that this place might be worth a visit. Of course, you can't justify how nice the place is by experiencing it first yourself.

Situated 535 feet above sea level, you will be delightfully greeted by the hypnotic view of Davao gulf and Davao city that instantly eases away your stress and worries. Please note that Villa de Mercedes is an exclusive resort subdivision, which offers recreation to its members and lot owners such as infinity pool, coffee shop, and other amenities. However, walk-in guests are welcome to enjoy and relax.

At Cafe's Veranda

Wonderful Scenery of Davao City

Uncrowded Infinity Pool

Acting like Senyorito and Senyorita

In front of the Cafe

Cottage View

Infinity Pool

Outside the Cafe

Outside the Cafe

Cafe

A little expensive, Villa de Mercedes is one of the resorts the family should not miss to visit to especially during summer season. I am extremely picky as what places to go on vacation for my family. As much as possible, I wanted a resort that is less crowded, cool, child-friendly, clean and having an excellent customer service. I guess, all the criteria I had been wanting for were satisfactorily met.

Entrance Fee with Free Use of Cottage

Weekend: 250
Weekdays: 200

Take note that bringing of foods is not allowed. The resort itself has a cafe where you can order foods but I have to tell you in advance, they are super expensive. The burger alone is worth 250 pesos, and 1 liter of soft drink is 150 pesos. To make your vacation worth spending, bring as much money as you can so you will enjoy the resort's amenities to the fullest.

The resort is located at Catigan, Toril Davao City. For inquiries or reservation, call (082) 226-8695/301-1751 or you may visit their facebook page.