This is one happy news for Starbucks Frappuccino lovers like me.  Frappuccino are now half-price every Monday from April 30 to May 28, 2012 from 2 to 6pm! Enjoy! I'll definitely enjoy this too! Happy Monday, everyone!

Our dear kid is officially a Vel Marisan!  After the school hunting and several discussions, my hubby and I finally decided to enroll our kid at Vel Maris School in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.  He is 5 years old and will be in Prep this coming school year, 2012-2013.


Why Vel Maris School?
   - It's a Catholic school.  Of course, being devoted Catholics and coming from Catholic schools from kinder to college, we also want our kid to experience that same education in a Catholic school, where kids are taught how to pray and have a relationship with God.
   - The tuition fees and other fees fit our family income.  We are not saying that it is affordable as the fees are quite high but we can work on it.  There are several payment schemes to choose from.
   - The location is near to our place.  I usually bring my kid to school everyday in the morning before going to work.  As it is located in Aguinaldo Highway, it's a tricycle and jeepney away from our house then I just have to take the buses going to Manila to go to work.  Although my kid's former school is nearer than VMS, the location is still accessible enough and conforms to our set-up.
   - We studied and researched on the quality of education and we our happy with what we read.  I also asked my former project manager whose kid is in VMS and we got nice feedback.
   - We believe that our kid will be set for the future with excellence!


For the enrollment, hubby and I came to VMS very early as we have to go to work after.  The enrollment procedure was smooth and organized.  First step was to fill up the registration form as my son has taken and passed the entrance examination last March.  Then, we submitted the requirements (report card, birth certificate and 1x1 picture).  One of the teachers did the assessment of items to be paid and the terms of payment.  After that, we chose the payment scheme and were endorsed to the Accounting Office for our payments.  We have to be back by mid May for the books and uniforms.


We are looking forward for our partnership with VMS!

It's a 3-day Sale on selected SM City branches this weekend - May 4, 5 and 6, 2012!  The list shows that SM City Bacoor is included, which means I have to expect heavier traffic along Aguinaldo Highway this weekend.

To beat the summer heat, my kid and I had a little bonding at home last weekend.  We did homemade ice candies.  Our flavor – mocca!  It’s my kid’s first time to eat an ice candy and we enjoyed!  Such a nice bonding activity with my kiddo!

Sunday is church day for our family.  Being Catholics, our family makes it sure that we attend mass every Sunday and do this obligation.  Here are the churches we usually go to:

Immaculate Conception Parish

Dasmariñas Bayan

This is an old church with old structure.  Though old, the alter is very nice.  The altar has the image of the Immaculate Conception is dressed so beautifully.


When we attend mass in this church, we choose the early morning or late afternoon schedule.  I don't like much the ventilation in this church.  Not so good enough especially during Sundays and special church occasion where several people go to church.  They have renovated the left side of the church to add one more door but it is still so warm inside.  There are electric fans inside but they are not enough.


Mass Schedule:
Saturday: 7:00pm anticipated mass
Sunday: 
AM 5:30, 6:45, 8:00, 9:15 
PM 4:00, 5:15, 6:30

Parking at the side of the church

Main Entrance at the back before mass starts

Altar

Mabuting Pastol Parish

Pala-pala, Dasmariñas

Mabuting Pastol is the church in front of Transport Terminal in SM City Dasmariñas.  I like attending mass here.  The church is small, modern type, well ventilated.  The altar is a stained glass of the good shepherd.  As it’s very near SM, you can go the mall afterwards or dine out with the family after attending the mass.

Mass Schedule:
Saturday: 6:00pm anticipated mass
Sunday: 
AM 6:00, 7:30, 9:00 (SM)
PM 4:00, 5:15, 6:30 (Robinsons)

Padre Pio

Twin Hearts of Jesus and Mary

DLSUMC

It’s the church inside De La Salle University Medical Center.  It’s a beautiful chapel and very modern, very quiet and you can concentrate praying.  There are limited mass schedule but it’s understandable.  There are lots of space for parking but with P10 parking charge.


Mass Schedule:
6:00am Monday to Saturday
7:00am Monday to Friday
12:00nn Wednesday
5:15pm Monday to Friday
Sunday: 7:30AM and 6:00PM
PM 4:00, 5:15, 6:30 (Robinsons)

The month of May is my favorite month in a year.  It is a special for me as there are several occasions that are close my heart that make me happy and celebrate.

May 1 is Labor Day, a holiday, happy because of no work!

Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) a month long celebration for Catholics in honor of Mama Mary.   I grew up attending the afternoon praying of the rosary and offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary.  I used do it every day for the whole month on May with my siblings and playmates.  We would make a wish to Mama Mary and tried complete the attendance.  Then on the last day, a Santacruzan is organized.  I don’t like much to participate is Santacruzan as the sagala but I like to see the sagalas in their beautiful gowns.

May is my birthday month.  Though birthday means getting older, there are lots of reasons to celebrate.  I’m so thankful for another year given to me and for the so many blessings I received.  I am so blessed with good health, nice work, beautiful family and a happy life.

May 13 is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima, the image of Mama Mary that I usually pray to since I was a child.  It was on this day where the Our Lady of Fatima first appeared to three children (Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia) and was asked to pray the rosary for world peace.

May 15 is the Feast Day of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of the farmers.  It is also Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon where farmers thank San Isidro for bountiful harvest.  Every year, there is a contest for the most beautiful house decorated with fruits, vegetables, kipings and others.  Kiping is leaf shaped decoration in different colors and made of rice.  It can be fried and eaten.

May 30 is the Feast of St. Ferdinand and Lucena City Town Fiesta and a very festive occasion.  Days before the actual fiesta, there are several activities in the city town proper like Mardi Gras and Pasayahan sa Lucena, street concerts, lots of food and others.

Here’s an option for places to go this summer – Volet’s Resort and Hotel in Dasmariñas, Cavite.  It is located in Aguinaldo Highway, almost in front of Waltermart Dasma.

Our family visits this resort almost every year and we notice there are improvements in their facilities during our visits.  They have lots of swimming pools, big and small, for adults and kids.  They have huge slides, pool with waves, pool running water similar to a river and Olympic size swimming pools.  There are lots of cottages of different sizes to choose from.  The rates are depending on the cottage size.  You can bring food inside without extra fee.  You can grill inside if you like.  You just have to bring your own charcoal and food to grill of course.  If you also do not want to cook, you can buy food outside.  There is Mang Inasal outside and of course Waltermart has Jollibee, McDonalds and KFC.  There is also ample space for parking.

Some photos I have taken from our visits:

lots of slides

Pool with waves

Olympic size swimming pool

More cottages