Aero dancing at the UPLB Freedom Park

The UPLB Freedom Park has always been an attraction and a reason why people choose to live and raise a family in Los Banos, Laguna. Aside from the many sports and recreational activities one can do in its wide open space, dance aerobics is also held every Saturday morning and our family have been taking advantage of the opportunity to exercise along with many others in the community.  Mama Sez and I prefer this over the dance exercise video we follow at home because of the healthy and relaxing outdoor settings.

During the rainy season, aero dancing, which is led and organized by the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) Department of Human Kinetics, is held inside the historic Baker Hall.  This is one of the oldest buildings in campus and is a prominent structure at the periphery of the UPLB Freedom Park.  Although many still participate when it's done indoors, aero dancing in the open space of the Freedom Park is still preferred by many more in the community, including us.

The historic Baker Hall hosts the aerodance sessions either outside or inside

Yesterday was the first time that the aerodance session was again conducted outdoors after many weeks inside the Baker Hall because of rain.  Below are more photos of yesterday's aerodance session to show you how diverse the community is.  Who knows, you might be inspired to join us every Saturday at 6 AM for an hour of easy to follow aero dancing for fun and fitness.

Watch a video we posted at Parenting Journey and feel the great vibes.

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It's Banamos Festival here in Los Banos

The 2010 Banamos Festival of Los Banos, Laguna is ongoing from today, 17th of September, until Sunday, the 19th.  It's a great time to visit and know more about Los Banos, the Special Nature and Science City in Laguna.

Main activities of the first day (September 17) are centered near the Los Banos Municipal Hall in the Paciano Rizal Park where there's Palarong Pinoy in the morning and Talent Search in the evening. Second day (September 18) main activities are centered at the UPLB Freedom Park where a civic parade would end.  The second night will be highlighted by the Search for Miss Los Banos back at Paciano Rizal Park.

Click here to learn more.

For those passing through Los Banos towards other towns in Laguna, expect heavier than usual traffic on these days.

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The First Rain

Los Banos, Laguna, May 28, 2:45 PM - It finally came…the first rain to hopefully signal the end of summer heat and let’s not forget, El Nino here in Laguna. The anticipation of rain has been a daily conversation topic with a new neighbor ever since we moved in to an apartment early this week.

Many were afternoons when all we get from the heavy dark clouds, supposedly signs of impending rain, were disappointment and worse, more intense discomfort brought about by the high humidity that goes with such clouds. Those were the times when one is thankful for air-conditioning units for instant relief, never mind the electric bill at month’s end. Such relief is critical for babies, oldies and persons with hypertension and similar conditions that gets aggravated with heat and humidity.

Despite the hassle that it brought us as we were moving stuffs we bought from a local store when the rain poured, we welcomed it with a smile and sighs of relief. So happy was I that I invited our kids to shower in the rain, an activity that happens rarely, if at all. The kids next door, however, were not so lucky to get the consent they sought from their parents and had to be content with watching us and the rain through their windows.

The rain lasted for a few minutes only, but a good portion was a downpour, enough to truly wet the Los Banos downtown area…enough to make the plants happy…enough to bless many families with a good night sleep even without air-conditioning…and enough for everyone to hope for a longer relief from the heat of summer and El Nino. Would we be so lucky again today?

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UPLB Museum of Natural History and IRRI Rice World

It’s been 21 days after the unwanted incident and here we are grounded in Laguna.  Our vacation plans may have been warped, but bitterly dwelling on it won’t help.   We rather make the best out of our present situation and continuously enjoy our days.

Though it surely tears my heart when our older kids utter “Mom, I miss VEG” (that’s how we call our car), and bug me with the question “When can he be fixed?” I have to remain jovial and divert their attention to exciting but realistic plans that my husband and I are able to come up with.

We were able to enjoy a swimming resort in San Pablo City with my brother-in-law hauling people twice from their residence to the resort and back because obviously two families cannot fit in his car to enable just one trip.  Thanks to his patience.  Details and photos pertaining to this activity will be posted in a separate blog.

The recent activity we had was a trip to the Museum of Natural History at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) followed by a visit to the Rice World at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).  Both places can be reached by taking jeepney rides.

Pointing your forefinger up signals the jeepney driver that you want to go up the mountain...I mean to Forestry (UPLB upper campus where the museum is situated).

The jeepney rides we had was a bit inconvenient having four children to carry plus the bag of feeding bottles and extra clothes (thanks to my brother and sister who were available to accompany us), but generally good especially when the jeepney runs continuously having the wind blow at our faces. Zeki often exclaims “Wow the jeepney is air-conditioned!”

We reached the Museum a little past 11 in the morning.  We were greeted by the Director, Dr. Ireneo Lit Jr. who is a fellow Entomologist, a true friend, a brother to me and my husband and Lolo Jun Este Tito Jun to our kids.  Mr. Orly Eusebio guided us to the different sections as we chat about personal to museum matters.  My boys got amazed by the live stick insect specimens available at the entrance while my daughter was startled at the creepiness of the corridor of the bat exhibit.  I brought my children, my siblings and our college scholar, who are all first timers to the Museum. I am not sure if they were able to retain information about our natural history in their memory bank but I am certain that the experience was memorable for everybody. In my case, it was my brief talk with Kuya Jun, Orly and other Museum staff that made the experience more pleasurable.  I promised to come back with my husband who was in a meeting at that time, for a longer talk.

We intended to have a picnic lunch at the Botanical Garden across the Museum after the tour.  Unfortunately, it was closed so we ended eating at the Museum garden where the staffs spend their break time.  The Museum is housed in the Upper UPLB campus, which is part of the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve.  Being surrounded by tall trees of the mountain, my children felt so free that they talked loudly as they explore the big roots and trunks posing for photo shots.  There were bigger trunks and taller trees in the area but who cares, at that point they just love being close to nature.  For me, it was indeed a feeling of being home again.

After lunch, we took a jeepney to go down to the lower campus to get another jeepney going to IRRI.  This time, we had to point our forefinger to the left to signal jeepney drivers that we want to go to IRRI situated at the western side of the campus. From IRRI gate, we walked about 50 meters to reach Chandler Hall for the Rice World  exhibit, apparently passenger use vehicles are no longer allowed to enter IRRI premises. Incidentally, this is the week that IRRI celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

Rice World is an exhibit of rice-related materials, art works, machineries and cultures around the world.  Historical information, basic rice knowledge, rice research, population growth data and other rice-related issues are also on display.  Wide computer screens and touch screens are available to facilitate learning.  Everybody was amazed to see the estimated world population that keeps on changing as new babies is born per second.

As expected, my boys spent so much time exploring the machineries while my older daughter rehearsed her tribal dance steps and pictorial poses. We even had fun taking pictures of ourselves facing a one-way mirror, maybe people on the other side were laughing at us.

This tour culminated at the Carabao Park for our college scholar’s chance to pose by the UPLB’s Flame of Excellence.

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Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Bay, Laguna

It was not hard for us to go along with my brother’s suggestion about having the reception for our baby’s christening and first birthday celebration at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan in Bay, Laguna. We’ve dined in the Palaisdaan in Tayabas, Quezon many years back so we imagine this restaurant in Bay, Laguna to be no different or even better.

The distinguishing feature of Palaisdaan is the floating cottages, each of which can accommodate a small group of diners. The ambiance-- water and lush vegetation-- is perfect for a refreshing meal of favorite Filipino dishes.

For Nadine's christening and first birthday celebration, we reserved the ground floor pavilion that can accommodate around 50 guests (another group has reserved the second floor). The place was just right for our 40 plus relatives and friends.

Other attractions include musicians who'll serenade guests while they eat, the beautifully landscaped entrance with distinct sculptures and white carabao near the main hall that can host up to 200 guests for bigger gatherings, the swings and slides that appeal to young and old alike, and of course the fishes that can be seen from along the water's edge.

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UPLB Freedom Park

The University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) Freedom Park is always teeming with energy during late afternoons, weekends in particular. Today was no different. There were those who flew kites, played soccer, frisbee, badminton and volleyball, walked dogs, jogged the circumference, picnicked on the grounds, met friends, read quietly or chatted the afternoon away.

This open area where various formal and informal activities are held is something we sorely missed. It's difficult to find an equivalent in Davao City. So the family relished our two-hour stay in the park today.

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