At Manila Ocean Park: Our First Day Out Without Diapers!

Narra and Guijo upon arrival at Manila Ocean Park.

A pleasant Saturday afternoon it was. Our family of four sought some sea breeze and made it to the bay side in a matter of minutes. We traveled down  scenic Roxas boulevard with a sense of adventure - sure, we lived nearby - but this felt exciting for me because it is our first time to go out of the house without a diaper bag, baby bottle, stroller, or helpful yaya to give us a hand. Guijo's just been weaned off the bottle, and has been potty trained. Now we put his maturity (and ours) to the test.

Narra and Guijo in the car, enjoying the moon roof.

                                         

In the car, both kids were remarkably behaved.  Oliver pulled back the sun roof and moon roof and we were treated to some glorious sunshine. I loved seeing coconut trees framing the clear blue skies as I looked up. And outside, Manila bay looked inviting, with various boats, yachts and ships dotting the seascape. Whoever says Manila is hell should see it on a day like this.  

Oliver and Narra watching the sea lion show.

                                       

We bought tickets to the Oceanarium which came bundled with access to a bird show and sea lion show held outdoors in a vast amphitheater facing the sunset. Midway through the bird show, Guijo told me he had to go weewee. It was a long walk to the rest rooms and I half sprinted to get him there - and I was so proud of him for holding off until the appropriate time. We made it! Whew! Woohoo! Wow!  Diaper free at last! I was one proud mama!

Oliver and Guijo viewing the sharks

                            

From the amphitheater, we proceeded to the Oceanarium. It was Narra's second visit there, and she still remembered the sharks and stingrays from her last visit. It was Guijo's first time, and he was enthralled! He loves watching fishing shows on tv with Oliver, and he doesn't get bored watching sport fishing, spear fishing,  big game fishing, and documentaries - so it wasn't surprising to see him enjoy the Ocean Park's attractions.

Guijo dancing with some fish.

                                            

I find it amusing how tourist spots and theme parks mean something different to me now. While in the past, I enjoyed them because of their intrinsic entertainment value, I now find myself more drawn to my children's faces than to the attractions offered by the sights we visit. I enjoyed the birds, the sea lions, and other aquatic life because of my children's appreciation of them, or because of my husband's interaction with our children as they marveled at the wonders on display. 

Enjoying my kids as they enjoy the oceanarium.

                          

I'm excited to see things I've seen before, to do things I've done before, all over again - but this time, no longer out of a sense of discovery, but out of a sense of obligation (of the delicious kind) to show my kids the big, beautiful world we live in.  

View from inside Manila Ocean Park's underwater tunnel.

It's a great time to raise kids in Manila. These days, we don't have to go far to enjoy world-class facilities. I remember needing to travel elsewhere just to see an Oceanarium back in my youth, and now, there's one in town!  And just outside Manila, one can observe marine life in  the wild, in various beaches and coves along the coast of Batangas where opportunities to snorkel or dive are abundant... Sigh (of the happy kind). I can't wait until my kids are old enough to snorkel! Or hike!  That'll have to wait a couple more years. For now, I'll have to be grateful they're out of diapers and we can enjoy a half day's worth of adventure nearby.

Narra's First Horseback Ride at El Kabayo Riding Stables

Narra and I, off to our first horseback ride together. El Kabayo, Pampanga.

It rained so much on Tuesday and Wednesday, that by the time Thursday came, I needed a break from being cooped up indoors.  I was longing for a breather, in wide open space, away from Manila's congested streets. We escaped to Clark, Pampanga for a quick daytrip - even as rain clouds continued to hover above, threatening to release their heavy load. I do like this weather - when it's almost about to rain, but not quite, and the sun is just behind a screen of clouds, giving light, but not too harshly. There's a tinge of cold in the air, and one's skin isn't as sticky-sweaty as usual.  This "on the brink" weather added a bit more excitement to an otherwise simple activity. I took Narra on her first horseback ride ever, and as we kept to a child-friendly pace, I kept looking skyward, praying it wouldn't pour while we're mid-field, out in the open.

El Kabayo's horse corral.

We've been meaning to take Narra to "El Kabayo" for quite some time now. On our regular visits to nearby Fontana Leisure Parks, we'd drive by this attraction - a recreational facility with a Western-cowboy theme, complete with a trading outpost, a sheriff's station (and "jail"), and a saloon. Across the row of low buildings, at the edge of a field, lies an Indian teepee. Stationed nearby is a covered wagon, right next to the horse corral.  It being a rainy Thursday afternoon, the place was deserted - which only made it feel more like a real outpost in the middle of nowhere. True, it's right next to a busy thoroughfare, with many cars plying the main road - but truth be told, while we were on our horse, and we were led farther away from the street, and deeper into the property, it was easy to pretend we were somewhere far away.  It was enjoyable, telling Narra folk tales, foreign and local, as we were lulled into a sleepy state by the horse's rhythmic-cradling trot. 

The "Wild Western Town" of El Kabayo.

Our horse was one beautiful, awesome, and powerful creature.  His name was Tuscan, and he had this lovely mane, that was smooth to the touch, and glistened in the light.  He looked well cared for, from head to hoof.  And he felt strong, as though he could break into a gallop and run at break neck speed if you asked him to (and this fact made me a bit nervous because I had Narra with me on the saddle).   We found out from his trainer that  Tuscan was a retired competitive equestrian horse, who moved to this facility from Manila Polo Club.  No wonder he looked far superior to the usual tourist-trap-workhorses in crowded parts of Baguio and Tagaytay where some old horses look very tired and unkempt.  At El Kabayo, horses look well-maintained because it is a full-service facility which offers board and lodging for horses - where dedicated staff are able to feed, groom, and  train them, and provide general veterinary care.  In addition to horseback riding tours, and scenic trail rides, there are also riding lessons offered.  

Our beautiful horse, Tuscan.

There's even a wholesale riding package, a "horse lovers agreement" which would allow a single person unlimited riding for an entire month.  I can only imagine how healing such an experience could be, for someone looking for a respite from all the noise and confusion of life in Manila. Wow. If only we could do that one summer, to just be on vacation elsewhere, and just ride horses every day for an entire month!  That's the way Europeans do their vacations, they really take time off, and stay in a summer house somewhere, say in the coast of Spain, and not just dart in and out of tourist spots for a few days, for a picture-taking marathon, rapid-fire shopping, and indulgent food tripping - which is what too many Filipino vacations seem to be like these days.  I say this as I mentally steel myself for one of those busy trips as we're off to Singapore in a few weeks to visit Universal Studios with Narra and Guijo - I am already imagining the long queues for theme park rides.  But that's another topic for another day.

My dad and mom, the doting grandparents, seeing their grandchild off.

Back at El Kabayo, we had the chance to enjoy some quiet, and blissful seclusion.  We had the entire park to ourselves. As Narra and I crossed the wide, open, field, I instructed her to breathe in deeply, to take in the invigorating scent of grass. We marveled at huge, majestic trees, with their gloriously outstretched branches, as we passed beneath them in the comfort of their shade.  We saw a few other animals, carabos and goats, a few dogs and many other horses of different colors, grazing in abundant space.  If I had more courage, and less fear of rain, we could have gone further into the interior, to take a trail by a river, but I decided against it, and asked that we turn back.  I will save that trip for later, when Oliver is with us, and he could ride with Guijo, and I with Narra, and we can do our little exploration as a family.  Besides, we had companions waiting for us, my dad and mom, and my priest uncle - Fr. Manny, were with us on this short trip.  They waited for us at the quaint little resto where they had snacks and drinks. I didn't want for them to wait too long. And besides, it was fast approaching closing time.

My dad and mom, at The HorseShoe Bar and Saloon

I asked what time it would be most advisable to end our late afternoon trot, and our guide, (whose name sounded like "Autarch" - I asked him three times to state his name, now I think I should have asked him how to spell it!)  said horses sense a lot of things at nightfall, and are easily spooked.  That made me instantly request that we turn back! The last thing I'd want is to have my tiny little girl riding on a spooked horse in the fading light. So we rode back to "town" way before sunset.  I wondered if my baby Guijo had awakened from his nap. I would have wanted to get him to ride as well, but he dozed off peacefully throughout our entire visit.

Outside the "Sheriff's Office" with Narra wearing both our helmets.

Our first visit to El Kabayo was a very pleasant one.  The ride through the countryside was calming to the nerves. It makes me miss our old home in Lipa, Batangas, where there was an expanse of green everywhere I looked. It makes me think long and hard about our lifestyle choices.  It's not good to live in regret, but I must admit that there are many things about staying in Pasay that's regrettable: the lack of fresh air, the lack of space, the lack of exposure to nature - lack of peace and quiet!  I feel very apologetic to my husband because it was because of me that we left Lipa, where the solitude got me depressed. I asked him to move closer to De La Salle University where I worked, and now that I'm not working there anymore, we feel stuck in a location we never dreamed of as our ideal place for raising our kids.  The trip to El Kabayo just made me miss Lipa all the more. I realize that our short stay in Lipa is the ONLY period in my life when I was able to breathe through both nostrils consistently, for an entire year! - without the interruption of the all too regular nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose.

Narra and her Lolo Walter, at the "parking lot".

So I have this vision in my head, of seeing our kids flying kites, of running in grassy fields, of our dogs being free to run in the open, instead of being in chains.  Having this breather in El Kabayo reminds me that we can choose to live a different lifestyle, one that is closer to nature, and freer from urban confines. Sigh, a breather can be a dangerous thing. It can plant seeds of doubt, or should I say seeds of dreams. I already had my chance in Lipa, before moving back to Manila, now do I want to move back out of the city? Back in Lipa, there were riding stables all around us, and we saw horses every day! I guess the grass really is always greener on the other side. So I hope we can find a happy spot in the middle, to straddle both worlds. For now, I will have to grapple with the fact that we took a short break at El Kabayo, and I enjoyed the ride, perhaps a little too much.

Narra loved the kid-sized patio furniture.

Boracay Diary 2: Family-Friendly Fun at Two Seasons

Two Seasons' Beach Front Signage

Sunny and rainy. That was the weather we got in Boracay, and it was just lovely. And our hotel, so aptly named Two Seasons, was thoughtfully designed to offer an enjoyable stay in both conditions, wet and dry. Our cousins Thunder and Rakel invited us to join them at their hotel in Boracay, and we said yes! in a heartbeat. They were traveling with their children: tweeners Bianca and Alec, and their 1-year old Marco.  And we brought 3-year old Narra and 9-month old Guijo with us. With 5 kids in our party, we needed a family-friendly place, and Two Seasons did not disappoint!

Two Seasons' beach front 

The location was just oh-so-convenient, right on the beach, situated on a quiet spot on the stretch between the isolated end of Station 1, and the busy scene of Station 2.  This part of the beach has the perfect balance of relative seclusion and moderate activity - there are enough people, but not too much. The hotel's beachfront cabanas and parasols over lounge chairs offered shade in the sun, and cover from the rain. We had easy refuge for our babies and bags when things got too hot, or too wet.

Our favorites: Four-cheese and pepperoni pizzas from the hotel's Bar Lo

The hotel's restaurant, Bar Lo, served food and drinks right on the beach, and we found ourselves ordering their yummy pizzas repeatedly.  The four-cheese and pepperoni pizzas became our daytime staple food. Fuss free to eat, and flavorful, they became our favorite for good reason.  The crispy thin crust, generous amounts of cheese, and just the right amount of spice, pleased both kids and adults alike. 

One section of the breakfast buffet

Bar Lo's daily breakfast buffet spread was also quite nice.  It was compact enough to be manageable,  but had enough variety to offer.  For Guijo, I'd start his meal with a bowl of congee with some mashed bits of chicken, followed by fruit, with some cereal, and juice!  I'd sit him on his high chair, and give him a cracker to munch on, while I went to get Narra food. Her favorite was the omelette station, where she got to request for her eggs, one day sunny-side up, the next day scrambled, with bits of cheese and lots of bacon.  And on the few occasions when it happened to rain during  meal times, we decided to order in and take our meals indoors, which proved to be so comfortable because we had such well appointed rooms.

Pool view from our room's dining table

Our rooms! The most family-friendly feature of all!  We stayed in a Family Suite with pool access - which was huge and just a couple of steps away from the pool.  Thunder's family stayed in the Grand Family Suite two doors away which was even bigger, and had a door that opened up directly to the pool, making it literally a step away.  Narra loved that pool - I liked how it was a multi-level pool, with ledges and strategically located steps and inclines, that could accommodate swimmers of various height ranges, allowing them to stay together, despite being in different depths. My niece Bianca was an underwater hockey swimmer (I did not know there was such a thing as underwater hockey until she told me about it), and she needed a fairly deep pool to execute her fancy swimming tricks. So there she was, flipping, and tumbling, and doing her dolphin dives, while playing with Narra, who was stationed safely on her own little ledge with knee-deep water.  What a cleverly designed pool! Delightfully small, with an efficient lay-out, for maximum enjoyment.  One end of the pool had a sloping floor, which allowed even Guijo, my tiny little boy, to soak and wade in baby-friendly depths.

Our family suite right by the pool

It was an added bonus that I could stay indoors and still watch Narra through the glass walls of our room - or should I say rooms!  I was always on call to take Narra to the bathroom when she needed to go pee-pee - toilet training continues even in paradise, after all.  Too bad our nanny wasn't there to lend a helping hand. There was an extra room in the suite, which would have been assigned to Yaya Ruby - had she shown up! Oh dear, we bought Yaya Ruby a plane ticket, but she was a no-show in Boracay (I will need another blog post for this sad story).  We had an empty room in our hands, which went to good use in the end, because it had its own tv and dvd player, and Narra borrowed a bunch of movies from the front desk - and she had a Disney Princess movie marathon in "her" own room, while Oliver and I watched the exciting conclusion of Chief Justice Corona's impeachment drama.  I loved that Two Seasons had a sizable movie collection to choose from - it made rainy moments less gloomy, and allowed our entire family some quality snuggling time under their luxurious duvets.

The multi-level pool with ledges, steps, and inclines for various depths

And the service from the staff was just impeccable! Everyone was efficient and friendly, and kind to my kids.  From the restaurant staff who brought Guijo his high-chair each meal time, to the guards and bell boys who carried our stroller and held umbrellas for us - to the friendly front-desk folk. I have only good things to say about our hotel stay.  And even when our stay ended - and we were whisked away and loaded on the hotels boat and van - even then, to the last minute, they saw to it that we were comfortable despite the rain.  

Our last dip in the pool, Narra and  Guijo felt right at home in the water.

When we left the pool for the last time and I told Narra we had to go home, she petulantly replied "can't we live here?"... and that, I feel is the ultimate compliment straight from the mouth of babes. If a hotel's goal is to make guests feel at home, then this hotel met their objective. Two thumbs up for Two Seasons!

For more info on Two Seasons Boracay visit their official website:

http://www.twoseasonsresorts.com/

Related Posts:

Boracay Diary 1: To and From Boracay, In Transit With Tots in Tow

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2012/06/boracay-diary-part-1-to-and-from.html

post script: We ended up missing our flight on the 31st and had to stay an extra day. With all our bags packed, we could have gone anywhere - to try out a new resort. But guess where we stayed? Still, Two Seasons!

Guijo's Gymboree Play Class and Being a Kid With My Kid

Guijo's first time at Gymboree was loads of fun!

I blinked... and in that brief moment my baby learned to sit, and crawl, and stand.  Now, he's even daring to take a few wobbly steps.  How did all this happen so fast? It really feels as though I just blinked for a split-second! My darling Guijo is still a newborn in my stubborn head, and though I am seeing him develop rapidly before my eyes, it's taking a bit longer for my brain to process the information.  Guijo's been such a perfect baby thus far, all cute and cuddly, that I want savor this stage far longer than his growth rate allows. So off to Gymboree we go, for his benefit, and mine! 

Guijo and I, waiting in line to have our turn to slide a ball down a slide.

Spending time with Guijo in the context of structured playtime allows me the chance to celebrate his milestones better because I get to participate fully in his process of discovery.  Sure, he can practice his newly learned skills at home - or any other place for that matter - but going to Gymboree offers the opportunity to shut out the hundred other things that demand attention - and I get to focus solely on Guijo.  Narra was with us at Gymboree, but she couldn't join the play class, which was exclusively for babies around Guijo's age.  My poor daughter had to watch from the sidelines, but I got her to do something fun so she wouldn't feel left out - I asked her to take photos of us!... and holding the camera thrilled her (although all the photos used in this blog entry were all taken by Yaya Ruby - Narra's shots were at crazy angles).  I didn't feel too bad for Narra though, because she too, had a class scheduled after Guijo's, and I did get to spend quality time with her as well. It's good to let my kids get used to the fact that they'll need to take turns getting dedicated parent time.

Narra, watching from the sidelines, her class starts right after Guijo's.

Learning to take turns is something kids learn in play class.  We had to queue up to use the equipment and watch all the kids in the class give each activity a try, whether it's to climb up an incline, or slide down a plank, or bounce on an air tube.  I very much value giving my kid early exposure to social situations requiring some patience.  It's important for him to learn that the world does not revolve around him, and that public spaces are shared with others.  In such a social setting, a certain conduct is required, and he will learn this intuitively (at least I hope he will).

At one point during play class, kids were allowed to pick out toys from a huge bin, and they got to play in a circle with other babies.  It's fun to see the kids play with their chosen toys, then become fascinated by a neighbor's toy - migration is inevitable, and toy-switching soon takes place - with an inspiring period of happy toy sharing in between (with Guijo that's the case...although with other kids, there were some tears involved). I found it so precious and encouraging to see Guijo behaving like a socially well-adjusted kid.  I'm one proud mama! It's too early to tell, but if this first class is any indication, Guijo's proving to be a tiny "Li'l Mr. Nice Guy".  He was just congenial and easy to handle. 

Playtime in a circle with other kids.

And then there were the activities that required all the babies (and their mommies) to do things together, like putting our babies on an air tube, and getting to grab onto handles, and holding them up as we turn the tube into one giant baby-friendly see-saw, going up and down gently.  Guijo held on to the handle tightly, and sat upright throughout the entire activity. He was very well behaved and stable, which was a huge relief. I wasn't sure how he'd react, and I was mentally steeling myself for a tantrums and tears which never came, thank heavens!

Guijo, well-behaved as we did the "see-saw".

Another activity I enjoyed involved a parachute with multi-colored panels. We put the babies on the parachute as it lay on the ground, then we adults, grabbed the edges, stood up, and lifted the fabric and spun around slowly as our babies tried to make sense of it all and struggled to find their bearings with their eyes and their bodies.  It was good to see Guijo reacting stably to an unfamiliar sensation.  As the parachute was lifted off the floor and he found himself re-orienting his body to stay somewhat upright, I saw him seeking me out in the confusion, locking eyes with me, and breaking into a smile that seemed to say "hey, mommy you're here! I know I am safe!".  We also had this activity involving an abundant supply of bubbles, which Guijo loved to pop. He was squealing gleefully throughout the activity, and I couldn't help but feel jubilant just as well.

Mother and son, paying attention to the teacher.

Gymboree requires parents and caregivers to always be within a hug's reach from their kids while on the playfloor.  This means that we get to do everything with our kids and be hands-on with all the activities.  It's playtime for Guijo, as well as for me, and it feels a lot like me getting to be a kid with my kid.  It's funny how we were both reduced to being obedient students in the presence of our teacher.  I've always been a very enthusiastic and willing student, eager to listen to instructions to learn to do something new. At Guijo's playclass, my son and I worked in tandem, as a team - partners in play! It's precious bonding time that allows me enjoy the moment - this brief and fleeting moment - when he is still learning to take baby steps.  I know this moment will be over all too soon, but in the meantime, I have Gymboree to go to, so I can savor every second with my baby, as he learns to use his body, and adjust to new situations, and be with other babies his age. 

Family Fun at Resorts World Manila: Kid-Friendly Things To Do

The Newport Theater Lobby where mass is held.

Sometimes we stumble into unlikely comfort zones. We visit a place once, then a second time, and a few more times, and before long, we inevitably establish routines with the frequently visited place as we come to know its ins and outs. That happened to my family with Resorts World, an unlikely place to take my kids to because it is well known for it's main attraction: the casino. Of course it also has other things besides, like a few stores for shopping, some dining options, two salons, a performing arts theater, and cinemas. I've been bringing my kids a lot to Resorts World lately, thanks to my parents, who are addicted to the place.  They're NOT gambling addicts, mind you. But they are addicted to many things like freebies (free parking, free buffets, free movies).  They are also addicted to the process of saving up. For decades in their married life, they saved up for cars, a house, our education, travel funds and so on. And now that they've retired, and are committed to enjoying every minute of their retirement, they find in their Resorts World card, a daily dose of "savings" through their accumulation of gaming points.  This in turn, they religiously use to treat us to simple joys: a family meal; a movie date; and always, free parking.  As their invitations became more frequent, I realized how convenient our trips has been for me, even with my kids around. Here's my list of kid-friendly things to do at Resorts World.

The priest, taking time to talk to churchgoers - as though
in a usual parish church. This doesn't feel like a casino!

1) SUNDAY MASS. It was a pleasant surprise to experience a solemn Eucharistic Celebration just above the casino.  On Sundays, at 11 am, the large foyer/lobby of the Newport Performing Arts Theater is converted into a place of prayer. Cushioned stacking chairs are arranged in rows, an altar is set up, and a choir and other mass servers are imported from a nearby church. The place is secluded, with no disturbance from foot traffic.  It's really comfortable, with the strong air-con, and the good acoustics.  The carpeting also helps absorb sound, so the place is quieter than a usual church.  If one could get past the flashy light fixtures, and the multi-colored carpet, one could really concentrate on the mass here. An added plus for moms: there are elevators for strollers; and there's a little "holding room" of sorts, a lounging area to the side, with nice, long couches, where a crying baby or fussing toddler can be appeased out of view while the parents still get to attend mass.  

Lolo and Narra at the entrance to the Game Zoo.

2) GAME ZOO: On the fourth floor, across the cinema ticket counter, is the newly opened Game Zoo withe usual arcade games for older kids.  While my kids are too young to play with most of the games, Narra had fun at the entrance where a strip of liquid-filled tiles changed color when stepped on. 

Narra jumping on the liquid lava/liquid motion tiles.

She enjoyed jumping on those squares.  She spent many minutes just playing by the entrance.  And inside the arcade, there's more of that kind of flooring, a bigger cut of liquid-filled/liquid lava/liquid motion tile mounted on an elevated section.  

Inside the squeaky clean and shiny new Game Zoo.

One thing I like about the Game Zoo is the sparkling, shiny floor.  The layout is stroller friendly and spacious - and not cramped like most other arcades which tend to be packed with too many machines.  The place looks, feels, and smells clean, and I hope they keep it that way.

One of the seating areas outside the cinemas.

3. CINEMAS: Newport Cinemas have the earliest show times in town. As early as 9:00 am, they already have movies playing.  This means the theaters are almost empty.  I like taking my young kids and their yayas to movies here early in the morning, to avoid the crowd. This way, it feels like we have the whole place to ourselves, as though we are at home. The kids can make noise without disturbing anyone.  The theaters also seem squeaky clean, so I'm not too scared of germs and bugs. I recently took the yayas there, because they wanted to see John Lloyd Cruz's latest flick.  The tickets, were of course, free, thanks to my parents and their religious accumulation of game points. 

Grandparents with their grandkids.

Even the posh Ultra cinema is part of the Resorts World Rewards program.  For 100 gaming points, one can enjoy the ultimate viewing experience, with extra wide seats, super ample leg room, fully reclining seats, unlimited popcorn, and drinks, all served by a butler.  Sigh (a nice, super contented kind of sigh).  I feel spoiled whenever I watch movies there.  The generous and comfy seating areas outside the cinemas are also kid-friendly.  There's ample room for running on carpeted floors, and the couches and nice lounge chairs offer much needed rest from carrying my baby around. Our family gatherings on weekends involved a lot of waiting time.  Most of the time, waiting is done in discomfort. But not here! It's fun to lounge around here, it's almost difficult to get everyone to stand up and leave. It's precious, seeing my parents bond with my children here, as though they were on a park bench in some plaza somwehere. In many ways, Resorts World functions like a town center, or community center for us. A place to go to, for relaxation and recreation - which is what the developers intended all along, it seems to me.

                          

4. WHOLESOME SHOWS. There are a lot of family-friendly events going on as well. From free concerts, to ballet recitals, and of course, the most popular musical of all time - The Sound of Music! a show which has extended its run so many times, from December, extended to February, then to May. I watched it with my sister and Oliver last year - back then, Narra was still too young, but by May, she will be three, which is the minimum age requirement to enter the theater.  My sister, her ever generous ninang, asked me if she could bring Narra to see the musical. 

There are also "Meet-and-Greet" sessions with all sorts of characters, for holidays, or in sync with the opening of a new movie.  Yesterday, March 10, for instance, there was a Meet-and-Greet session with Dr. Seuss' "the Lorax".  We didn't get to bring Narra to this because we had a birthday dinner to attend.

Sunday lunch at Johnny Chow's...two long tables full of Serranilla kin.

5. FAMILY DINING.  And then of course, there are the restaurants. Most of the establishments have high chairs (a clear sign that kids are welcome), and smoking and non-smoking sections are clearly delineated. What's nice about the restaurants on the second floor is their arrangement, surrounding a nice, wide, central "plaza" with a fountain. Kids can stroll around, and even run, before or after the food is served, a good way to keep them from fussing in confined spaces.  There's an option to dine inside, in the enclosed section, or outside, somewhat "al fresco" (though still in air conditioned comfort).  When my kids are sleeping, I prefer to stay indoors, in a quiet corner way at the back of the resto; when they are awake and active, I prefer to stay outside, so they can stroll.  I like the size of the plaza. Big enough to feel like a wide open space, but small enough to see my kids even if they're at the other end of the plaza.

So Resorts World has become something of a comfort zone. A small place to go to where I don't have to deal with crazy crowds. Where I can go to watch a movie with my kids! Where I can enjoy some quiet catch-up conversation with my sister, minus the usual circus at busier malls. Where my retired parents and young kids can enjoy each other's company in comfort and cleanliness. I really hope this place remains well-maintained in years to come. 

Super Stroller Friendly Bonifacio High Street Central

Ascending terraces facing the water fountain (view from our table at Elias)

The Ayalas inspire me. When they develop something they do it well, then they top themselves, and do it even better.  My first paycheck ever was from Ayala Corp. I applied for a job at the tender age of 19 and started working a month before I marched down the aisle for my graduation. I worked there ever so briefly, it was clear I had a different calling because I received an invitation to attend a summer school program in Germany and my stomach flipped in excitement.  I left in a heartbeat, resigned from Ayala,  and headed off to Europe. That brief stint, however, gave me a precious insider's view of this awesome Filipino company, their commitment to excellence, their love for this country, and their high standards and meticulous care in crafting and executing plans. Whenever I see anything new developed by Ayala, I expect to be impressed, and they never fail to inspire!  I just felt it again a few days ago - my "happy to be in a new Ayala project feeling".

The sunken garden at BHS Central on 7th Avenue. (See ROX right behind).

Last weekend, I was just thrilled to have dinner, al fresco, at the newest section of Bonifacio High Street (BHS), all the way to the end, on 7th Avenue, just beyond R.O.X.  Like the rest of BHS, the place is a delightful cross between a mall and a park.  It offers a different atmosphere however, because of its incline.  The twin boulevards of the BHS felt rather flat while this new section feels like a sunken garden -  even a grand amphitheater in the way ascending terraces are angled facing a stage-like expanse of water-fountains.  From a distance, it seemed to me like kids were really getting wet, as though they were in a water park. 

A kid bathed in green light and drenched in water!

Upon closer inspection, I was right!!! Kids (and a few adults too) were frolicking in neon juice - an illusion created with changing colored lights.  The fountains are just so inviting, the public couldn't resist.  Now, it isn't one of those space-saving, compact fountains.  The wet area is a sizable expanse.  There's plenty of room  to run around.

A girl "stops" a water column with her hand.

There's so much space between each of the fountains, that one feels safe weaving through the streams of water shooting up to the sky, without getting wet.  I even saw a stroller being steered and parked between water columns as mother and baby posed  for pictures. 

A mother steers her kid's stroller onto the fountain floor.

The entire complex is really very user-friendly for anyone on wheels, I wouldn't think twice about bringing Narra here, on her new bike!, or Guijo on his stroller.  I imagine this place would be a great destination for skateboarders too, and rollerbladers, kids on scooters, and people on wheelchairs.  The Ayalas made accessibility a central feature of the open-air mall.  In other wheelchair-accessible places, ramps seem like an after thought.  Here, they dominate the design.  They are not tiny things squeezed into corners, but grand, wide spaces in the heart of all the action. 

Low incline and ample space for strollers, bikes, scooters and skates.

To get to the second floor from street level, for instance, they opted to build not one, but two spacious ramps.  Thank you, dear designers for doing this! You have this mom's gratitude!  My stroller experiences aren't always pleasant. I have had to negotiate my  way through steps and crowds in ramp-less malls - or, in places where they do exist, I've had to work my way precariously up steep and tight, single-lane ramps.  Here, it seems to me, that the space is big enough for 4 lanes - like a stroller super expressway.  I could get to walk leisurely here, without worrying about stalling people in a rush - there's plenty of room to accommodate different speeds. I love it!

On the second floor. Behind me are double ramps with a gentle slope.

We came here to BHS Central for some good old adult conversation over dinner with Oliver's cousins and their wives. It was supposed to be a nice little break from the kids... which it was.  But the kids were always on my mind though.  And I can't wait to wheel them over.  Ayala's done it again. They've given back to the community by offering us a new playground to visit. I grew up visiting Ayala Malls, from the Park Square and Greenbelt of old - the open-air  shopping plazas of the 1980's! - and my kids will grow up doing the same as we frequent the evolved shopping promenades, also open-air, of stroller-friendly Bonifacio High Street. 

Our dinner party: (l-r) Rakel & Thunder; Balbir & Henry; Me & Oliver.

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Kid Friendly Restos: The Frazzled Cook in Mandaluyong

I am now on the look out for kid-friendly restaurants where I can bring my kids and not feel like I am bothering other patrons. I'm still learning the art of relaxing while still being a parent on constant alert.  Fortunately, there are heaven-sent places out there where decent adult food is served in a setting that's also entertaining for kids.  The Frazzled Cook is one such place. It is a house-turned-resto along Luna Mencias street, close to Shaw Boulevard, in a lovely part of Mandaluyong where beautiful old houses on large cuts of land have been converted into business establishments like art galleries, antique furniture shops, pre-schools, bakeshops and restaurants. We stumbled upon this place when our aunt Tita Boots died and her wake was held nearby. Driving by the converted  house, we were intrigued by the markings on the windows that read: "I am a Restaurant". 

From the name of the place alone, busy moms can already feel an affinity with the people behind the resto. Frazzled. I know the feeling. As a sleep-deprived mother of a newborn and toddler, and the wife of an on-the-go husband, I find myself perpetually grasping for equanimity.  So I was so pleasantly surprised to feel relaxed at The Frazzled Cook. I recommend it as a kid friendly place.  Upon entering, one already gets a sense of the whimsical and playful approach of whoever did the interiors. The booth closest to the door features a mural, and a wall-full of waving good-luck cats.  

There are a lot of things to look at: books, toys, and collectibles on the shelves; chandeliers, drop lights and trinkets on the ceilings; pictures, paintings, and murals on the walls; mismatched chairs and tables as well as mismatched china and other tableware. The furniture look welcomingly weathered and worn, in a shabby chic way, making a parent feel that kids won't hurt them with a scratch or a spill.  Narra was clearly entertained. Right next to our table was shelf with children's books, including a fun pop-up version of the timeless classic, Alice in Wonderland. The eclectic collection of furnishings and novelties made me feel a bit like Alice myself.  The ambience is reminiscent of Cafe Juanita in Pasig, and the old Fat Michael's in Makati. 

When we arrived, were immediately given a high chair for Narra, and that's a plus! Some restos simply don't have high chairs, and that always makes me feel as though my kid is unwelcome.  A high chair is an investment made by restauranteurs who count kids as part of their clientele. I sometimes have to guess whether it is appropriate to bring my kids to certain places.  The laid back attitude of the people at The Frazzled Cook reassured me (they didn't seem frazzled at all). 

The resto's menu is another kid-friendly artifact. It has a lot of quirky illustrations and is made of a sturdy, stain-free material - not the flimsy pages your kid can easily rip apart. Narra pretended to read it like a storybook.

And when her food arrived, the resto passed my true test for being a kid-friendly place: Narra ate her food without being coaxed! Her soup was pureed asparagus with chunks of white cheese swimming about, and she asked of the floating white things: "what's that mama?" - "cheese", I replied, and this brought a smile to her lips. She also liked the pita wraps with cottage cheese, rolled small enough for toddler hands.  

Next time we're in the area, I'd love to eat there again. It's a great laid-back destination where a frazzled mom like me can come with my kids and actually get to relax.

For more info, visit their website:
www.thefrazzledcook.com